June Mar Fajardo is aiming to regain his rhythm in time for the 2018 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals following a lowly outing in the San Miguel Beermen’s clash with the Meralco Bolts, Saturday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The reigning, four-time MVP played for over 16 minutes, but he only had one point, five rebounds, and an assist in his second game since sitting out for over two months thanks to a stress fracture in his right shin.
Fajardo played his first game back exactly a week ago in Biñan, Laguna in their 109-97 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. There, he was on the court for 10 minutes and 19 seconds and had two points, two rebounds, and an assist.
“Nakakalungkot natalo kami. Naninibago pa ako pero hindi na yun excuse kasi naglalaro na ako. Babawi ako next game, babawi kami next game,” he said.
“Sana makuha ko na yung rhythm ko for the next game.”
After the Beermen’s 81-111 loss, which snaps their four-game winning streak, they will be heading into the quarterfinals as the sixth seed and will face rivals and third seed Alaska Aces, who are armed with a twice-to-beat advantage.
The odds are still in San Miguel’s favor despite their precarious spot, given their history – the Aces will always be a part of the Beermen’s rich past due to the Beeracle run in the 2016 Philippine Cup.
But even with history on their side, Fajardo doesn’t guarantee anything.
“Hindi ko rin masabi. Basta gagawin namin yung gameplan namin, paghahandaan namin sila kasi for sure, paghahandaan din nila kami. Hindi mo masabi na dati natatalo namin sila, matatalo namin sila this time,” he said.
“Kailangan naming paghandaan.”
