Saturday night was one of those rare times when June Mar Fajardo matched up against someone bigger than him as San Miguel faced TNT.
The nine-time PBA MVP battled Bol Bol for the first time in one of the most-awaited clashes of the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, since the Tropang 5G announced that they have acquired the services of the former NBA veteran.
Quite unfortunately, the bout was way too lopsided, although the Cebuano star enjoyed going up against the versatile 7-foot-3 winger, nonetheless.
“Masaya kasi nag-e-enjoy ‘yung mga tao. Maganda ‘yun sa liga,” offered Fajardo moments after the Beermen’s 118-92 defeat at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Kita natin sobrang daming tao. Nagpupunta na yung mga tao sa game.”
Bol starred in the rematch between the protagonists of the last two Philippine Cup Finals as he poured 34 points and 18 rebounds in 34 minutes.
It was a continuation of his solid play thus far in the midseason tilt, which saw him average 39.0 points and 15.5 rebounds in their first two games.
(C) PBA Images
Even Fajardo could only concede how challenging it was going up against Bol not only because of his physical advantages, but of his pedigree as well.
So much so that he believes that TNT, the defending conference champions, which won the coveted crown on this day last year, is the ‘team to beat.’
“Hindi lang ako, kundi buong liga kasi mahaba si Bol Bol. NBA talaga,” the 6-foot-10 center stated, when asked if their matchup motivated him personally.
“Lahat ng teams nagii-step up. ‘Yung TNT ‘yung team to beat. “
As for himself, Fajardo did struggle early versus Bol with just four points in the first half, but still finished with 15 points, 20 rebounds, and a pair of assists.
He did what he could, no doubt, but it still wasn’t enough as SMB absorbed its second win in three games, marking the second time this season that the traditional powerhouse started a conference with a 1-2 record.
“‘Di kami maka-shoot sa three. Dami naming mintis sa outside, mga open shots namimintis namin,” lamented Fajardo as they went 4-of-21 from three.
“Bawi na lang kami sa ano. May game kami Tuesday (Macau). May practice kami bukas, so ‘yung game na ‘to, sabi nga ni Coach Leo, thing of the past na,” he added.
“Bawi na lang kami, move forward. Bawi na lang kami next game.”
