Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Slaughter plays down match-up with Fajardo


Ever since the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup, many have been wanting to see another duel between the league’s towering bigs, Greg Slaughter and June Mar Fajardo. And on Sunday night, the people’s fantasies were fulfilled.

The two Cebuano centers have finally clashed after over a year. And as the buzzer sounded, Fajardo and the San Miguel Beermen reigned triumphant over Slaughter and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 107-103, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

That defeat was tough to fathom for the Gin Kings, as it ended their seven-game winning streak. With that said, the seven-foot Slaughter did not have anything to say about his match-up with three-time Most Valuable Player.

“I wouldn’t really think about individual match-ups because we got down pretty big,” said Slaughter.

“San Miguel’s a pretty complete team and coming into this game, I was saying it’s not about the individual match-ups. It’s team-on-team.”

Looking at the match itself, the Barangay actually had chances to come back from a deep 26-point hole as they got within eight, 101-93, late in the game. Unfortunately, Alex Cabagnot and SMB just had more tricks down the stretch.

“That’s our calling card, never say die,” said the 29-year-old, who scattered 16 points and seven rebounds. “We played all the way to the last buzzer, and just didn’t have enough time to make that comeback tonight.

“But I know we’ll probably see them again — maybe in the playoffs — so it’s just some game we have to learn from.”

Asked if the grueling schedule had affected them, as Sunday’s bout versus San Miguel was their second game in three days, the Cleveland, Ohio-born slotman did not want to use that as an excuse.

#ReadMore  PBA: Fiery San Miguel stretches streak to 5, deals Meralco second loss

“We can’t make any excuse because when it comes time for the playoffs, we’re going to have a schedule just like that — we play Friday and then we play Sunday,” he said.

“So no excuses, they just came out more prepared than us tonight.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Justin Brownlee is plenty curious about how the next Manila Clasico would look now that LA Tenorio is on the other side — as...

Basketball

No trilogy is taking place in the PBA Season 49, as San Miguel tore up the script by ousting Barangay Ginebra, 100-93, to advance...

Basketball

LA Tenorio is a firm believer that miracles indeed happen, as he’s been a living proof of it ever since he fought through —...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Men head coach Tim Cone isn’t expecting much from the national team’s first practice on Monday ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup...

Basketball

LA Tenorio turned back the clock and saved Barangay Ginebra from the jaws of defeat against San Miguel, 88-87, to force a Game 7...

Basketball

San Miguel finally broke the trend by subduing Ginebra, 103-92, to move one win away from the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals, Friday...

Basketball

It’s back to square one for the sister teams as San Miguel stopped Ginebra from inching closer to the Big Dance following a 107-82...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas finally has a start date for its FIBA Asia Cup 2025 buildup. Coach Tim Cone said that the Nationals will hit the...

Advertisement