June Mar Fajardo batted to not be listed in San Miguel’s first five in their eventual victory over Ginebra in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals on Friday evening, owing to the calf issue he’s nursing.
Head coach Leo Austria disclosed the update, as the decorated mentor was once again left marvelling at the eight-time MVP’s selflessness, even though he wanted to play through the injury he suffered back in the series opener.
“This afternoon before the game, he’s one of the early birds here eh,” he said moments after their wire-to-wire 100-83 win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“So, that means he wants to play. But the good thing with him is he knows his situation eh. And he asked me, ‘Coach, don’t start me.'”
A game-time decision, Fajardo was eventually fielded into the game, specifically at the 1:55-mark of the opening frame and with the Beermen leading 21-9.
He went on to finish with only two points for his lowest scoring output in a long while, but that hardly mattered. His teammates came through to ultimately help the traditional contenders in tying the best-of-7 affair at one game apiece.
Mo Tautua’a himself had arguably the biggest uptick in performance, notching a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds as he willingly embraced the responsibility of taking the Cebuano star’s spot in the starting unit.
(C) PBA Images
And Austria couldn’t feel prouder with how the backup big man responded, as the latter had no idea that he’d be thrust into that position.
“Before the start of the game, I told him in front of his teammates, ‘Mo, you will start’ without knowing he would be replacing June Mar,” he said.
“He thought June Mar and him would be the starters. I think that’s the thing we want to have with Mo Tautua’a. It’s a good thing that he responded to the call of the team,” he added on Tautua’a, who played for over 28 minutes.
A total of six players finished in double figures, with Marcio Lassiter leading the way with 16 points as San Miguel flaunted its depth again — and gave the impression that things are still under control despite Fajardo’s injury.
“Lagi nating sinasabi na ang strength ng team ay na kay June Mar. But don’t forget, the strength of June Mar is from his teammates,” said Austria.
Still, the multiple-time Coach of the Year awardee deflected a lot of credit on their main man simply for his effort to show up, for it gives his teammates all the more reason to rally — especially now that they’re bidding for a Finals trip.
“I have to appreciate him because he’s a warrior. He’s a team player. He wants his team to be inspired by showing up to the game,” praised Austria.
“It’s enough for the team to gain some confidence.”
#WATCH: Coach Leo Austria proud of Marcio Lassiter and the rest of San Miguel for stepping up for June Mar Fajardo to even the #PBA2025 semis series 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/MStoLA1h2k
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 27, 2025
