ANTIPOLO – The wear and tear from the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup playoffs is catching up with June Mar Fajardo.
The Best Player of the Conference admitted he’s favoring a hurting right knee which he sustained in San Miguel’s 96-82 win in Game 5 of the Finals against TNT on Friday night at the Ynares Center.
READ: Brondial double-double leads SMB to Game 5 win, 3-2 lead over TNT
Fajardo said his health situation will be evaluated by the Beermen’s battery of physical therapists on Saturday.
“I-a-assess ako bukas. So titingnan pa,” the nine-time league MVP quipped after the reigning champions took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
At the moment, he’s been taking a lot of painkillers and anti-inflammatories to somewhat help subside the discomfort and swelling.
“Hopefully, hindi siya mamaga,” Fajardo said.
The 36-year-old center banged his right knee on the floor after he tripped on fallen teammate Rodney Brondial midway in the third period.
He was initially taken out of the game and was seen grimacing in pain while sitting on the SMB bench.
Coach Leo Austria eventually decided to send him back to the game in the final 6:13 mark and San Miguel ahead, 85-73.
Fajardo said the move was to assess how his knee would react after extended rest.
“Gusto rin i-try ng PT namin para matingnan kung kaya kong maglaro,” he added.
Fajardo fights through
The only nine-time MVP in PBA history finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Asked how he will be for Game 6, Fajardo, who had the swollen knee wrapped in ice after the game, believes he can manage to keep playing.
“Kaya naman siguro,” he said. “Sa tingin ko, kaya naman siguro. Pahinga lang siguro tapos therapy lang ako.”
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