Ian Sangalang rued how June Mar Fajardo spelled the difference for the San Miguel Beermen, and made Game Four of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals a tough one for the Magnolia Hotshots on Wednesday.
After limiting Fajardo to just 17 points on 11 attempts in Game Three last Sunday, Magnolia got themselves a nightmare two nights later as the reigning five-time Most Valuable Player poured 31 points on 13-of-14 shooting with 14 rebounds.
Ultimately, the Beermen won, 114-98, to tie the series at two games apiece. It was also a double celebration for Fajardo, as the gentle giant from Cebu received his unprecedented sixth straight all-Filipino BPC award before Game Four.
“Well, mahirap talaga ‘pag dinominate ni June Mar yung laro,” Sangalang said.
“Ginawa naman namin yung best namin pero na-shoot niya pa rin. Minsan mahirap para sa kanya, pero nakukuha niya pa rin eh,” he added, as Fajardo made his first 12 shots in the game before missing in the final frame.
Sangalang also lamented that Fajardo’a presence made it tough for Magnolia to collar boards, as San Miguel out-rebounded them, 46-53. In comparison, Magnolia had impressive ball collection in Game Three, where they won by a big margin, 71-46.
“Well, yun nga. June Mar eh. So minsan nakukuha niya talaga yung offensive rebound kasi malaki,” the 6-foot-7 slotman said.
“Nagtulung-tulong naman kami pero meron lang kaming mga lapses, yung game na ‘to.”
But beyond Fajardo’s exploits, Sangalang rued that the Hotshots were also the ones who beat themselves. The Grand Slam winner said his team should learn how to keep fighting even when facing a huge deficit.
Magnolia had crawled back from a 16-point deficit and knocked within just seven early in the fourth. But Terrence Romeo and Christian Standhardinger connived to restore order for SMB, who would then lead by as many as 17 twice.
“Kami naman kasi, ‘pag nalalamangan kami, parang nada-down kami. So yun yung kailangan naming i-overcome na ‘pag lamang sila, kailangan pa rin kaming lumaban, lalong lalo na sa depensa. ‘Di pwedeng gumive up nang ganun lang.
“Coming into the next game, hindi kami pwedeng maiwanan. Dapat close lang lagi yung game,” he added.
Now that the series has been reduced to a virtual best-of-three, Sangalang said that Game Five on Friday will be a crucial one for both teams. He also added that whoever emerges victorious on Friday will have a strong chance to snag the title.
“Best-of-three. Very important next game. Kung sino makakuha ng next game, feeling ko malaki yung chance na mag-champion sa series na ‘to,” he said.
“Mag-stay lang kami sa strength namin, defense, malaki yung chance namin.”
