June Mar Fajardo was quick to put behind San Miguel’s streak-busting loss to Converge last week that saw him foul out for the first time in three years.
Although he admitted that it was frustrating, the six-time PBA MVP refused to dwell on what was and simply shifted his focus to what’s next.
“Syempre nakaka-frustrate,” he said. “Pero wala na ‘yun. Past na ‘yun. Kailangan lang mag-move on. Marami pang games.”
Adapting such a mentality undeniably worked wonders. The Beermen returned to action Wednesday night and Fajardo was back to his usual form.
After scoring just seven against the FiberXers, the Cebuano star poured 29 points on 11-of-13 shooting and 12 rebounds as they took down NorthPort, 132-145, to get back to their winning ways in the Governors’ Cup.
“Nakaka-frustrate, pero inaano naman ako nila Coach na okay lang ‘yun, bawi na lang next game,” he said moments after the match at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Ine-encourage naman ako ng mga teammates ko, ng mga coaching staff. Thankful ako sa kanila,” he continued.
Fajardo’s fine play epitomized how impressive SMB was as a whole in the victory, which enabled the crew to gain a share of the lead with TNT (6-1).
According to PBA stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, their 145-point output is the most in Beermen history in more than three decades, or since they beat 7-Up, 151-127, in the Third Conference eliminations back in September 27, 1992.
It is also the most in a PBA game by any team in more than a decade, or since Talk ‘N Text beat Air21 145-116 in the 2011 Governors’ Cup elims.
Coach Jorge Gallent’s wards, furthermore, dished out 46 assists, which are the all-time franchise best and third all-time most in the league.
All that, of course, made Fajardo and the rest of San Miguel beam with pride. “Credit sa team, sa mga teammates ko, sa coaching staff. Ganda ng nilaro namin as a team,” said the Season 47 MVP frontrunner.
“Pero, ‘yun nga, ni-remind kami ni Coach about defense kasi sobrang taas ng score. Buti nakuha namin ‘yung panalo tapos ang dami naming assists.”
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