He may have incurred a deep wound from the Hotshots four years ago, but for June Mar Fajardo, the pain remains fresh.
Fajardo still remembers the first-ever championship heartbreak he had in 2014, when the Petron Blaze Boosters lost to the Tim Cone-mentored San Mig Coffee Mixers in the Governor’s Cup Finals in seven games.
“Hindi ko talaga makakalimutan, noong rookie year ko, [San Mig Coffee] ang first championship heartbreak ko,” the reigning Most Valuable Player quipped, who is an avid DOTA player.
“Pinaiyak nila ako, binasag ko ang PC ko.
“Sobrang nasaktan ako nung rookie year ko na natalo kami sa Finals. Umiyak talaga ako, nakita ng parents ko yun. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, darating din yung araw na makakabawi ako,” added the Cebuano superstar.
Which is why the 28-year-old feels that he now has the chance to exact revenge to his tormentors, as he and the San Miguel Beermen will face the Magnola Hotshots (formerly San Mig Coffee) in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
“Ito na siguro yung time na makabawi ako. Kailangan ko mag-champion para makabili ako ng bagong PC,” said Fajardo in jest again, drawing laughter from the people in attendance at the Finals’ presser on Wednesday afternoon.
“[Pero] nagpapasalamat kami kay God na may opportunity kami na makalaro ulit sa Finals. Hindi naging madali sa amin ang makaabot dito. Sisiguraduhin namin na bibigay namin ang best namin para makuha yung panalo,” he added.
The Beermen, having won the Perpetual trophy last year, are now keen on extending their reign to four straight titles — a historic feat, as it will make them the first-ever team to win the All-Filipino four times in a row.
The five-time Best Player of the Conference is fully aware that it won’t be easy to achieve. But since he and the Beermen are now in the position to be able to do so, they might as well grab the golden opportunity.
“Mahirap naman kung papakawalan mo pa. Hindi natin alam kung kailan babalik yun eh,” said the five-time champion.
“Hanggang nandito kami, mabigyan kami ng opportunity na makuha yung pang-apat, grab na namin.”
