June Mar Fajardo had an entire quarter to join the PBA’s elite 10,000-point club during San Miguel’s eventual rout of the also-ran Terrafirma on Wednesday.
But the league’s only nine-time MVP opted to put his teammates first, wanting to give the other Beermen a chance to play more while he sat out the remainder of the bout and watched his squad cruise to the 135-105 victory.
“Gusto ko sana siyang ibalik in the fourth quarter because of that milestone,” bared Coach Leo Austria after the win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Fajardo already had 25 points and 12 rebounds after the first three quarters for his best game to date in the Season 50 Governors’ Cup. He needed just five more points to make his way into the exclusive group led by Ramon Fernandez.
Per PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, the Cebuano star should become the 19th member of the list, and the only fifth in SMB franchise history to do so after Abet Guidaben, Norman Black, Allan Caidic, and Nelson Asaytono.
He would’ve also become the second active player to reach the milestone after Jayson Castro, who did so during the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
The 12-time league champion could have formalized all of that on Wednesday night. But his selflessness prevailed, and his teammates did their part by helping San Miguel strengthen its bid to claim the top spot in Group A.
“He refused to do that because he wants his teammates to play, to have longer playing time inside dahil alam naman niya na next game, nandoon pa rin ‘yung chances eh,” Austria said.
“After that, may quarterfinals pa.”
Needing only a few points, Fajardo could achieve it as early as October 21, when they will take on Jimmy Alapag’s NLEX at the Ynares Center.
Asked about the matter, the 36-year-old reiterated that he’s never one to chase individual feats, but nonetheless feels honored by the history he’ll be making.
“Hindi ko naman chine-chase ‘yung ano, pero thankful ako na mapapasama ako roon sa 10,000 points club. Isang karangalan na mapabilang ako roon,” he stated.
“Pero, hindi ko hinahabol. Darating at darating ‘yun.”
