As the free-for-all broke out between players from Gilas Pilipinas and the Australian Boomers last Monday, June Mar Fajardo looked on from the outside. With punches being thrown, and chairs and bottles flying all over the Philippine Arena, he stood in silence – dismayed by what was happening.
The 28-year-old big man from Cebu had been frustrated all night long by the Australians. He was slapped with four fouls in just the opening frame, stopping every rally he tried to spark.
In addition, he was on the court when Steve Kickert threw a violent elbow at his brother-in-arms Roger Pogoy.
But instead he chose to exercise the highest level of restraint. And it was because of a lesson taught to him by his parents.
“Sorry sa nangyari, hindi natin ine-expect na mangyayari yun. Nakita niyo naman kung anong ginawa ko dun,” the 6-foot-10 center shared during the Chooks-to-Go-hosted dinner for the team.
“Tinuruan ako ng parents ko, hindi naman sa lahat ng panahon, kung pwede mo iwasan yung gulo umiwas ka kasi baka pagsisihan mo.”
In true Fajardo fashion, he tried to lighten up the mood by saying that he had been looking to score at the time the fight broke out.
Still, Fajardo remains grateful to be part of this special group of players that will only be stronger after this dark moment.
“Nangyari yung hindi inaasahan. Thankful ako sa grupo na to, nandun talaga yung brotherhood, yung samahan,” expressed the four-time PBA Most Valuable Player.
