June Mar Fajardo said that there’s nothing to worry about after getting hurt during San Miguel’s eventual win over Terrafirma in their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup do-or-die quarterfinal encounter on Wednesday evening.
The seven-time MVP cleaned up Don Trollano’s miss amidst the foul at the 9:26-mark of the fourth, but landed awkwardly when his right leg got entangled with Jericho Cruz as his teammate also tried to go for the rebound.
Fajardo was on the floor for a moment, in pain as his teammates and members of the coaching staff attended to his aid before getting back up on his own two feet. He would go on to make the bonus to complete the three-point play.
The Cebuano star stayed on the floor and eventually finished with 25 points and 22 rebounds to lead his side to yet another semifinal trip.
“Parang may nabunggo atam, parang mali ‘yung landing. Pero OK naman, nothing serious,” he told reporters moments after their 110-91 victory at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. “Konting ano lang, parang spasm lang.”
What matters most to Fajardo is the win, most especially in overcoming the tough challenge imposed by the Dyip that saw him put extra effort on D.
The 6-foot-10 center had to extend his defensive coverage against Terrafirma’s bigs, which relied on their outside shooting not only to free up space in the middle but to make it difficult for him in hauling down rebounds.
It worked in their previous encounter last Saturday, which enabled the Dyip to send the series to a sudden death. But he was back to his old ways come Wednesday and caused problems this time by imposing his might inside.
(C) PBA Images
“Credit talaga sa Terrafirma, ang ganda nang nilaro nila,” he said. “Mahirap sila bantayan kasi halos lahat ng bigs nila — or lahat nga ata siguro ng bigs nila — tumitira sa labas e.
“So kailangan kong um-extend talaga sa depensa.”
That convincing win was, in some way, a statement by the defending champions after that upset last weekend but Fajardo never had any doubt whatsoever of their capability to respond to situations as tough as what the Dyip put them.
After all, the conference’s no. 1 seed is equipped with the twice-to-beat advantage, and all that they needed to do was to get the job done.
“Tiwala lang talaga sa team, kasi alam naman namin kung ano ‘yung abilities namin as a team e,” said the 10-time league champion.
“Start pa lang ng conference, ‘yung goal makuha yung twice-to-beat eh. Nagamit namin,” he added.
“Buti nakuha namin yung panalo ngayon.”
