June Mar Fajardo isn’t shy about wanting to create history with this current group of San Miguel Beermen.
This particular Beermen team is on the verge of being one of the greatest – not just within their celebrated franchise, but in the PBA as well, should they snag their unprecedented fifth straight Philippine Cup championship this 2019.
“History ito ‘pag nanalo kami ng five straight,” he said.
“Hindi naman mabe-break agad yun. Kung pwede namin ipanalo, may chance kami makagawa ng history… I-grab namin kasi itong opportunity na ito, hindi na mababalik.”
Fajardo wants to strike while the iron is hot, since he knows that the Beermen are not getting any younger – especially their first five. Their starting unit’s average age is 33.4, while Arwind Santos is the oldest at 37.
“Tumatanda na rin kami, nagkaka-edad na, so ‘di na maibabalik yung opportunity. Habang nandito kami sa sitwasyon na pwede naming maipanalo yung championship, grab namin,” said Fajardo, the youngest among the starters at 29.
But beyond making history, the defending five-time league MVP is dead-set in winning the crown because of the legacy they will leave – one that will last a long time – once all is said and done.
“Siyempre, gusto ko maging part ng history. Yung career namin sa basketball, hindi naman magtatagal eh. Hindi naman habang buhay. Pero ‘pag may history kami… Kahit wala na kami, mapag-uusapan pa rin kami – na kasama kami sa conversations na yung San Miguel, sila June Mar, nakagawa sila ng five-peat.”
“Kahit wala na kami sa PBA, mababanggit yung pangalan namin. Malaking karangalan yun para sa akin,” he said.
First, however, the Beermen have to hurdle the Magnolia Hotshots first, in the best-of-seven affair that starts Wednesday.
San Miguel are seen as the favorites, as they already manhandled Magnolia in five games in last season’s Philippine Cup Finals. But even with that, Fajardo refuses to be complacent versus the Hotshots.
“Nag-improve na rin sila ng husto. Galing sila championship last conference [2018 Governora’ Cup], tapos matagal na rin yung samahan nila. Sabi rin ni coach Chito [Victolero], yung maturity nila [na-develop],” Fajardo cautioned.
“Kami, may experience, lalo na sa All- Filipino, pero hindi ko masabing edge yun sa laban na ito,” he continued.“Hindi naman porket naka-apat kami na championship, magro-roll over na ang Magnolia. Mas gusto pa nga nila kasi gusto nila kaming i-dethrone eh. Kaya kailangan namin ibigay best namin.
“Ba’t naman ako magsasawa?”
