June Mar Fajardo only had one thing in mind after San Miguel clinched the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup title: fly back home to Cebu.
The reigning seven-time MVP wanted to visit his family and, of course, his late mother, Marites, before going back to another tough grind ahead.
“Sa ngayon, i-enjoy muna namin. Gusto kong umuwi kasi gusto kong bisitahin ang mama ko, makita pamilya ko,” he said moments after their 104-102 win over Magnolia in the Finals’ Game 6 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Fajardo has done just that. On Saturday night, the 34-year-old posted on social media a photo of his mom’s tomb, showing that he had indeed come home.
It’s a break he definitely deserves, especially after going through a challenging series against a Hotshots side that managed to equalize the series at two games apiece after being down 0-2 in the best-of-7 title bout.
It was as difficult in Game 6, wherein they had to climb out of a double-digit lead early in the fourth to finish it off and win their second title in four conferences.
“Naghahabol kami halos all the way,” said Fajardo, who finished with 19 points – 17 in the first half – and 12 rebounds. “Sa last five minutes ng fourth quarter, doon lang kami nakahabol. Crucial yung three points ni CJ at Chris Ross.
“Good thing nakuha namin yung championship na ito,” added the 12-year vet, who won his 10th PBA championship. “Sobrang blessed namin.”
Soon, he will have to fly back to Manila to resume his responsibilities. The veteran internationalist is named part of Gilas Pilipinas’ 12-man lineup for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers’ first window set on February 22-26.
Shortly after that, he and SMB will be back together to prepare for the Season 48 Philippine Cup, which raises its curtains on February 28.
That’s why Fajardo really made it a point to squeeze in a quick trip back home, as he knows that he’ll be busy once again in the coming months.
“Kasi after nito Gilas, sunod naman ‘yung opening ng PBA. Sobrang hectic ng schedule. Papaalam muna ako, uwi muna ako, pakita muna kay mama.”
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