SAN Miguel big man June Mar Fajardo admitted fatigue is beginning to set in after his minutes were extended anew in the Beermen’s 111-106 Game Three loss to Rain or Shine Saturday night in the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo came through with another huge numbers of 40 points and 20 rebounds in 38 minutes and as usual, got a number of bumps and bruises along the way.
He later disclosed weariness is fast getting the better of him.
“Tao lang rin naman ako, napapagod. Pero ok lang ganoon talaga eh. I'd rather be sore than sorry,” said Fajardo.
Unlike in the first two games of the best-of-seven series, Fajardo got plenty of help from his support cast led by Marcio Lassiter with 22 points, Arwind Santos with 12 and Ronald Tubid with 11.
Unfortunately, Lassiter failed to make the basket that could have erased a 107-106 Rain or Shine lead with five seconds left.
“Mintis lang 'yung mga tira na dati nasu-shoot naman. Baka next game (ok na). Alam naman na nila siguro 'yun, bawi na lang kami next game,” he said.
With the Beermen down in the series, 2-1, Fajardo said this is the time the team had to get its act together.
“Ito ang pinaka the best time para mag-isa kami," he stressed. “Hindi porke’t natalo kami maghihiwa-hiwalay na kami. So ito 'yung pinaka the best na time na kailangan namin i-encourage ang isa't-isa na mag-step up tayo next game di lang sa opensa pati na rin sa depensa.”
Game Four of the series is set Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.