June Mar Fajardo achieved another career milestone in San Miguel’s escape of Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup, Friday night.
The six-time MVP became the sixth player to haul down at least 2,000 offensive rebounds after legends Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Jerry Codiñera. Asi Taulava, and Ali Peek, per league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
He joined the elite company when he cleaned up his own blocked shot for his first basket barely two minutes into the match they eventually won, 102-99.
Fajardo now has 2,011 career offensive rebounds after hauling down 12 offensive boards in the triumph. The soft-spoken Cebuano said that chasing records is never his goal, but is nonetheless honored to accomplish as much.
“Kanina sinabi sa’kin. Pero hindi naman ‘yun goal. Pero, masaya ako na nakakuha ako ng ganun,” he told reporters moments after the match at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “Thankful ako na nakaka-break ako ng records.”
The 33-year-old actually finished with a game-high 18 rebounds, and there was really a conscious effort on his part to collect as many boards as he can to aptly respond to head coach Jorge Gallent’s challenge, he said.
“Sabi nila Coach, kailangan ko talaga kumuha ng rebounds. China-challenge ako ni Coach. Nung last game mababa lang ‘yung rebounds ko,” said Fajardo as he only had 12 caroms in their win versus NorthPort two nights ago.
“China-challenge niya ‘ko, ‘O may utang ka sa akin na rebounds a.’ ‘Sige, Coach.’ So, ayun, ine-encourage ako nina Coach,” he added.
Thanks to his efforts, San Miguel has clinched a quarterfinal spot as it improved to 7-1 following the win, and Fajardo couldn’t be any happier.
“Buti nanalo kami. Kailangan namin ‘yung panalong ‘to para mag-stay kami sa Top Four,” said the Cebuano star, who also had 12 points. “Credit din sa mga teammate ko, sa naging [adjustment] namin especially nung fourth quarter.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
