Friday night was definitely June Mar Fajardo’s.
The PBA’s reigning five-time MVP had 27 points and 13 rebounds to lead his San Miguel Beermen to a masterful 121-111 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors, to collect their third straight win in the 2019 Philippine Cup.
And one of the highlights of his scoring output was a rare three-pointer. He nailed the shot with more than three minutes left in the first quarter, capping off the Beermen’s blazing 28-4 start to the match, which shackled NLEX.
“Dying seconds [ng shot clock], kailangan ko itira. Mabuti pumasok. Tsamba,” said the 6-foot-10 slotman of his dial from long distance – his very first this season, and also his first since the 2016-2017 season.
Many have long anticipated Fajardo taking threes on a regular basis. He said that he might do so when given the opportunity, but he remains firm in sticking to his inside game as San Miguel have plenty of shooters.
“Siguro, siguro. Pero dito sa PBA, hindi yun yung laro ko. Sabi nga ni coach ‘wag ma-in-love sa threes kasi hindi yun yung laro ko. Ipaubaya ko na lang kina Marcio [Lassiter] at sa mga shooters namin,” said the seven-year pro out of UC.
“Kung bakante, why not ‘di ba? Pero paminsan-minsan lang.”
Another highlight-worthy play from Fajardo versus the Road Warriors came in the second half. He pulled off a between-the-legs crossover after posting up before pulling up for a jumper, which unfortunately rattled in and out.
“Kakanood ng Youtube eh,” said the 29-year-old with a chuckle. “‘Di ko alam. Napailing na lang si coach kanina eh nung napatungin ako sa kanya, nagmintis eh.
“Kung na-shoot yun, ganda tignan, ‘di ba?”
But more than his own outing, Fajardo was happier that the Beermen won and they did so in such a convincing manner. Seven San Miguel players scored in double figures, and the team knocked down a total of 20 treys.
“Maganda yung nilaro namin, nag-step up kami lahat lalo na sa depensa, yun maganda kinalabasan.”
