JUNE MAR Fajardo brought the house down in Game Two of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals when he nailed not one, but two three pointers in the waning minutes of San Miguel's 109-85 win over Magnolia.
The seven-time MVP sank his first trey with the shot clock winding down and the outcome already settled. That trey with 1:52 to go gave the Beermen a 22-point lead.
READ PBA gathers first-hand accounts on Abueva-Tautuaa hallway spat
As if trying to show that his shot was no fluke, Fajardo made one more from the very same spot, sending his teammates as well as a sizeable Sunday crowd to fits of delight at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 6-foot-10 center finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists, while going 2-of-3 from three-point range in the 24-point blowout that gave the Beermen a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven title series.
Fajardo later said he’s been practicing his three-point shooting. But as everyone knows, it's never his cup of tea. The shaded area has always been his comfort zone and it's the reason why seeing him attempt and then make the three sort of surprised nearly every one.
He said his attempts from downtown have the blessings of coach Jorge Gallent.
“Binibigyan ako ng kumpiyansa ni coach. Pinapatira niya ako,” he added.
He said one other reason he does not make more three-shot attempts is it might jeopardize the careers of his some of his teammates.
“Hindi lang ako tumitira sa game masyado kasi marami nang shooters (sa amin), baka mawalan sila ng trabaho, e,” he jokingly said.
Lassiter rebuttal
Teammate Marcio Lassiter has another view regarding Fajardo’s banter.
“I don’t think he should fall in love with it,” said Lassiter laughing.
“But it’s great to see him get into it,” Lassiter said seriously. “He’s been expanding his game. Here’s a seven-time MVP who just keeps on evolving and trying to get better.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
