Seeing their team dragged in another rubber match for the championship, June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos, the two Most Valuable Players the past two seasons, have vowed to give everything they’ve got to give San Miguel Beer a championship.
“Gagawin namin lahat ng makakaya namin. Do-or-die na yan eh,” Fajardo told media after the game.
The 6-foot-10 reigning MVP was reduced to a conference-low nine points by the tight interior defense of Alaska in Game 6. Fajardo acknowledged the fact that Alaska did a good job defensively, but also explained that he needs to step aside for his other teammates capable of producing the points.
“Kailangan kong mag-sacrifice eh. Kailangan kong mag-step aside para sa team. Hindi naman kailangan na mag-score ako (ng malaki) every game. May time talaga na low scoring,” added the Cebuano slotman.
The Beermen went off to a hot start, leading by as much as 14 points in the first period, but suddenly found themselves trailing as the Aces fought back and turned things around in the next three quarters to force a rubber match.
Fajardo said that being complacent has been one of the biggest problems of the squad.
“Kapag kasi lumalamang kami, may tendency kami mag-relax,” he added.
The young center said they cannot afford to do so in Game 7 where the Beermen will try to win the elusive title for the first time since 2001.
Like Fajardo, Santos promised to work double time.
“Hindi ko makita yung advantage namin, pero ibibigay na namin lahat sa Wednesday,” he added.
For the veteran forward, this is the best time for him to show to his teammates that he keeps his faith in them.
“Wala akong bini-blame, kung sinong masama laro sa amin. Lagi kong sinasabi na nagtitiwala ako sa mga teammates ko. Mahal ko sila. Hindi dapat dito matapos yung samahan namin,” added Santos.
