Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

June Mar Fajardo taking more threes soon? Depends, he says


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.”

#ReadMore  Filling Arwind Santos' shoes a task too tall, admits Vic Manuel
Written By

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




You May Also Like

Basketball

Even Don Trollano himself could not pinpoint exactly why he laid a big fat egg during San Miguel’s eventual loss to TNT last Sunday...

Basketball

Don Trollano submitted his best showing of the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup to date as San Miguel burst the bubble of Phoenix through a...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Simon Enciso and Roger Pogoy dealt the killer blows from downtown as TNT thwarted San Miguel, 89-84, to finally get on board...

Basketball

What was expected by many to be a grindout affair between two PBA Philippine Cup favorites turned out to be a snoozefest instead as...

Basketball

Mark Barroca came through in the clutch just like the old times as Magnolia frustrated San Miguel in overtime, 98-95, to capture the solo...

Basketball

San Miguel finished strong to repel Meralco, 110-98, for back-to-back wins in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum Wednesday....

Basketball

The Philippine Basketball Association is further ramping up its efforts in a bid to lure in more fans for its 50th-anniversary games on April...

Basketball

June Mar Fajardo believes that it will only be a matter of time before what many perceive as an unbreakable record he himself set...

Advertisement