Cebuanos have to be so lucky back in 2009.
Late in October of that year, Cebuanos got themselves a treat as they witnessed a titanic clash of their very own products in June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter in the 9th CESAFI Basketball Finals at the Cebu Coliseum.
Slaughter emerged victorious over Fajardo as his UV Green Lancers won over the UC Webmasters, 75-62, to claim their ninth CESAFI title. But regardless, a lot expected that they would face each other many times in the future.
A lot has happened to the 2009 CESAFI co-MVPs since that bout in Cebu. The former, after winning the crown, transferred to Ateneo De Manila, while the latter stayed put in his hometown and won two titles before going pro.
“Time flies really fast,” said Slaughter.
“We’ve come a long way.”
And when both of them were already breathing the same air in the PBA back in 2013, many turned excited, as their college rivalry will be set in the pro stage and will finally be seen not just by Cebuanos, but for all Filipino fans.
Too bad that their anticipated face-offs got delayed. It got delayed for years.
Since 2013, the first overall picks had contrasting pro career trajectories. Slaughter got marred with injuries, while Fajardo have collected MVPs, Best Player of the Conferences awards, and have won multiple championships.
Despite that, a Slaughter-Fajardo match has been so craved for. But what the fans would want to see is not just that in a regular game, but in a match where something so huge is on the line that it will bring the best out of them.
The wish of many have finally been granted.
Fajardo and Slaughter will be vying for the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup championship, marking the very first time that they will meet in a titular battle since 2009. It may have taken that long, but it’s never late than never, as they say.
“It’s really exciting to square off in the Finals in the PBA,” said Slaughter.
Slaughter may have emerged triumphant back then, but this time, he and his Barangay Ginebra San Miguel are seen as the underdogs, as Fajardo’s San Miguel Beermen are motivated to keep their hold of the throne firmly.
But for Fajardo, who is now on pace to win his seventh BPC award this conference and his fifth MVP this season, the memories of 2009 still lingers, and that is why he hopes that he will be able to win one over Slaughter.
“Natalo kami nung Finals namin nung nasa Cebu kami,” the 6-foot-10 slotman reflected.
“Sana this time ako naman manalo.”
