JUNE Mar Fajardo said he understood the purpose of the Spiderman streaker who disrupted Game Five of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, but argued that there are far more dignified ways of getting his message across.
"Walang problema yun sa akin, pero mali yung way na pag-send niya ng message," he said. "Sa akin walang problema yun. Siguro gusto niya lang magpapansin."
The five-time PBA MVP was all shaken up after colliding with the unruly fan who inadvertently hit him in the jaw that left him down on the floor as chaos and confusion ensued at the 3:08 mark of the fourth quarter.
"Nagulat ako," he explained, recounting his brush with the fan who was holding a placard that read: "Vote! Love!"
"Naka-steal si Christian (Standhardinger) and then nakatingin ako sa kanya at papunta ako (sa ring namin). Hindi ko nakita yung tao, tapos bigla na lang may bumangga sa akin, sa jaw ko. Parang nahilo ako at nagulat ako.
"Pagtingin ko si Spiderman, akala ko si Arwind (Santos)," he added in jest.
Fajardo was able to pick himself up from the incident and finished with 21 points, 22 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks to lead San Miguel.
Unfortunately, Mark Barroca drained the game-winning baseline jumper at the buzzer that gave Magnolia the 88-86 victory and the 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
As disheartening as the loss was, Fajardo still wishes the best for the friendly neighborhood trespasser, hoping that this experience would serve him a lesson.
"Sana matuto siya doon. Kinuyog tuloy siya. Kawawa naman. Wala naman siguro siyang intensyon na manakit. Sana ok siya," he said.
Fajardo also took the opportunity to plead respect from fans as he reminded everyone that at the end of the day, it's just basketball.
"Sa mga fans, wag sanang tularan ang ganoon. Lahat naman kami naglalaro lang dito. At the end of the day, ginagawa namin ang trabaho namin. Manalo o matalo, suporta lang sa team kasi yun ang gusto ng team niyo eh. Kaming mga players, ginagawa namin ito dahil gusto naming manalo," he said.
"Respeto niyo yung players. Nirerespeto namin yung fans namin kaya sana hindi na maulit yun. For sure, di na mauulit yun."
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