Hours after his injury was disclosed to the public, San Miguel Beermen star June Mar Fajardo was left frustrated, as his condition will bar him from playing, especially for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming 2017 FIBA Asia Cup.
According to the soft-spoken 6-foot-10 Cebuano, he had already felt pain in his lower leg during the Beermen’s match versus TNT Katropa last Wednesday in which they won, 97-91. Fajardo finished with 27 points and six rebounds in that game.
And as per the medical report, Fajardo’s injury was worse than he had thought, as it was diagnosed as a partial tear in his right calf.
#pba2017 Here is a copy of June Mar Fajardo's medical report re: calf injury pic.twitter.com/wfIITGIsV1
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) August 4, 2017
“Masakit eh. Nung last game namin parang yun na,” said Fajardo, who sat out in SMB’s game versus Star Friday. “Tapos yung result naman nung ultrasound kahapon parang yung lumang tear daw tapos parang nabugbog tapos masakit.
“Masakit, lalo na ‘pag umaakyat sa hagdan.”
The three-time Most Valuable Player’s injury is clearly a big blow not just to SMB, but to Gilas as well, for the continental cagefest. But Fajardo assured his support for his mates as he will still join the team in Lebanon.
And if ever the odds will be in his favor, Fajardo might even see action for the Nationals in the said tourney.
“Syempre sasama ako,” he said. “Tapos ‘pag okay naman, lalaro ako.”
But the 27-year-old Gilas veteran was quick to add that it will all still depend on his condition.
“Depende pa yun eh, tignan natin kung ano yung progress. Siyempre future eh, baka ma-prolong pa yung injury. Mahirap na.”
