Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

June Mar Fajardo, Greg Slaughter finally meet in the Finals


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.

#ReadMore  Despite being with SMB, Orlando Johnson still has love for Ginebra

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.”

Written By

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


You May Also Like

Basketball

It may no longer be just about making the necessary adjustments for head coach Tim Cone and the rest of Barangay Ginebra after losing...

Basketball

TNT leaned on its hot shooting from beyond the arc early to beat Barangay Ginebra, 95-89, and gain the head start in the PBA...

Basketball

To say that their careers are forever intertwined may sound cliche, but that’s basically been the reality Tim Cone and Chot Reyes live in....

Basketball

Stephen Holt may find himself guarding another Best Player of the Conference candidate when the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals gets rolling. Last...

Basketball

Jamie Malonzo is itching to play in the PBA Finals again after sitting helplessly on the sidelines during Barangay Ginebra’s previous trip to the...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee is hoping to flip the script this time as Ginebra and TNT author another chapter to their rivalry in the PBA Season...

Basketball

Troy Rosario feels excited to go up against the team he started out with as Ginebra and TNT will duke it out in the...

Basketball

RJ Abarrientos is under no illusion that things would be easier for Barangay Ginebra in its upcoming rematch with TNT in the PBA Season...

Advertisement