JUNE Mar Fajardo admitted going up against three-time champion San Mig Super Coffee on Sunday gave him the “extra push” he needed as they try to prove they can compete against the Mixers.
That’s what the sophomore big man did as he came up with another double-double of 18 points and 18 rebounds to help San Miguel Beer nose out sister-team San Mig, 92-90 for the team’s second straight victory in the PBA Governors Cup.
“Sabi kasi din ni coach na kailangan namin silang (Mixers) talunin at i-prove sa kanila na kaya naming makipag-sabayan sa defending champion,” Fajardo said after the game.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo said last season’s Finals defeat to the Mixers in this same conference has always been a motivation for the Beermen to get better as the franchise tries to end a three-year title drought
San Miguel bowed to San Mig, 4-3, in last year’s Governors Cup title series.
San Miguel active consultant Todd Purves said Fajardo’s solid inside plays has a lot to do with the extra individual workout he’s been doing before or after practice.
“June Mar played real well tonight. 18 and 18 is really a great effort for the big guy. It looks like he’s getting back to his old form,” said Purves.
“He works with a coach specifically before or after practice.”
Despite developing into a dominant inside force, Fajardo said he’s far from satisfied, pointing out the free throw shooting as one important area he needs to improve.
“Kailangan ko pang tutukan `yung free throw shooting ko. Ang dami kong mintis eh,” said Fajardo, pointing to his 6-of-14 stats from the foul line.
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