June Mar Fajardo is considering wearing his mask once more after getting inadvertently hit in the nose during San Miguel’s eventual defeat to Meralco in Game 5 of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup Finals on Friday night.
The league’s only seven-time MVP did ease concerns but putting on the protective gear could be an option, depending on the doctor’s evaluation.
“Ie-evaluate pa,” he said moments after the 92-88 loss at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “Hopefully, wala namang ano. Pero if ever, may mask naman ako.”
Fajardo suffered an accidental elbow from Bolts veteran Cliff Hodge during a battle for the loose ball at the 8:43-mark of the second period.
The 6-foot-10 center was visibly hurt – taking a while to get back up, although he didn’t leave the court and soldiered on the entire night.
He eventually finished with monster numbers of 38 points and 18 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to save the defending conference champions, who are now staring at a 3-2 deficit in the best-of-7 series.
The all-important Game 6 is on Sunday still at the Big Dome and the return of masked June Mar could be seen for the first time since April 5.
Fajardo first wore the mask – made up of carbon fiber material specifically fitted for him – in a 95-92 escape of Barangay Ginebra in the eliminations.
But more than wearing it or not, what concerns the Cebuano star the most is how he can help the Beermen send the series to a winner-take-all Game 7.
“Hindi pa naman kami out, ‘yun ‘yung kinagandahan d’on,” he said. “May chance kami makabawi. Babawi kami next game.”
