It was a scary sight to see when June Mar Fajardo fell on the floor and took some time before getting up late in Game Two of his San Miguel Beermen’s 2019 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal match with TNT KaTropa, Monday night.
The reigning five-time league Most Valuable Player was sitting on the floor while clutching his left knee with 6:10 remaining in the fourth quarter after jockeying for position near the basket with Kelly Williams and Troy Rosario.
It was actually a double whammy for Fajardo as he also suffered a small cut in his forehead after Rosario inadvertently hit him while on their way down. But the Cebuano cager said that it was just an acne that got hit and bled profusely.
“‘Di ko alam eh, parang pagtalon ko may bumangga tapos na-hyperextend.
“Okay lang yung sa noo, ‘wag lang yung sa tuhod. Problema sa’kin yun,” recalled the 6-foot-10 Fajardo, who has hurt his knee before due to collisions with opponents.
But for Fajardo, there’s nothing more painful than the hits he took: going home with a huge L on their hands.
Though Fajardo was in his element with 26 points and 19 rebounds, it wasn’t enough to will the reigning four-time All-Filipino champs, as the Beermen lost, 88-93, allowing the Texters to send their best-of-three series to the limit.
“Medyo masakit, pero mas masakit na natalo kami,” rued Fajardo.
But Fajardo and Co. isn’t dwelling on the stinging defeat anymore. They’re now looking ahead for tomorrow, where they will be preparing and recovering at the same time for the deciding Game Three on Wednesday, April 10.
“Ganun talaga. ‘Di naman madaling kalaban yung TNT eh. Kailangan naming magpahinga, tignan sa viewing ano yung mali namin, mga lapses namin,” said the 29-year-old slotman.
“Sana maganda yung adjustments namin.”
