Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

With June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel becomes different animal vs Converge


June Mar Fajardo showed Converge how tough it is to take down a San Miguel side with him around following another noteworthy performance in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal opener, Wednesday.

Out in the previous match last October following throat surgery, the league’s only six-time MVP produced 19 points and 16 rebounds to help the reigning conference champs take the 114-96 win — and move closer to the semis.

Crucial was his role, especially in the final period. He ensured that the FiberXers won’t come any closer after chopping what was once a 31-point lead to just 11, scoring and assisting on a 9-2 run to restore order, 107-89, with 3:24 left.

Fajardo would go on to finish with three assists, three steals, and a block for a full line in only 31 minutes and 19 seconds of action.

The Cebuano star was a tad sentimental as he expressed gratitude for being able to come back after sitting out for a month — an absence that truly affected the Beermen during the middle of the elimination round.

“Thankful ako na nakabalik ulit ako after ng injury ko,” he said after the match at the Philsports Arena. “Nakabalik ako so thankful ako doon. Thankful ako kila coach, lahat ng mga coaching staff namin, sa mga teammates ko.

“Binibigyan nila ako ng kumpiyansa. Ine-encourage nila akong tumira. Kailangan ko suklian yung tiwala nila sa akin. Gusto ko lang makatulong sa team. Buti nakuha namin ‘yung panalo ngayon.”

It was already Fajardo’s fourth game since coming back, and he has yet to lose as San Miguel is now in the midst of a five-game winning streak.

#ReadMore  Austria bares Thomas Robinson left country to 'recuperate' from back injury

The Beermen could go for sixth straight in Game Two on Saturday in a win that will clinch the team a semis spot, but Fajardo refuses to look too far ahead.

He pointed out the need to take care of possessions even better after committing turnovers especially in the final period, when Converge tried to come back in an attempt to replicate its upset win back in the eliminations.

“Sobrang daming lapses namin. Kailangan namin iano yung mga turnovers namin,” he said. “Kailangan namin i-work out ‘yun next game.”

The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

San Miguel and Meralco will take center stage when the Philippine Basketball Association celebrates its 50th founding anniversary on April 9. Commissioner Willie Marcial...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Men’s worst stretch under head coach Tim Cone continued on Sunday as the Philippines suffered a lopsided 87-70 defeat against New Zealand...

Basketball

Sticking with the same 12-man roster, Gilas Pilipinas is preparing to wrap up the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers with an all-important clash against New...

Basketball

Troy Rosario’s return to Gilas Pilipinas will have to wait. The veteran internationalist was the tough cut the coaches had to make in finalizing...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas pulled the rug underneath Qatar, 74-71, for a triumphant start in its 2nd Doha International Cup campaign Saturday morning (Manila time). Plenty...

Basketball

Meralco’s hopes of advancing to the East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four were shattered on Wednesday evening, as the Bolts suffered a heartbreaking...

Basketball

It was a tad ironic that one of San Miguel’s former coaches played a part in the traditional powerhouse’s demise in the PBA Season...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – TNT pushed San Miguel in danger of missing the playoffs of the conference where it has a title to defend following a...

Advertisement