OF the 10 PBA championships that he won with San Miguel, June Mar Fajardo considers this recent PBA Commissioner’s Cup as one of his toughest.
“Isa ito sa pinakamahirap kasi bihira lang kami mag-champion sa conferences na may import eh. So malaking bagay ito sa amin,” said the seven-time PBA MVP after the Beermen’s 104-102 victory on Wednesday to close the series out in six games.
Fajardo bucks calf injury
Fajardo was still feeling the effects of his left calf injury but hardly looked like a wounded warrior on the court as he put up 19 points and 12 rebounds in the closer at the Big Dome, fully determined to not let the best-of-seven finale extend to a sudden death.
But the pain was the least of his concerns, happy that despite playing catch-up all game long, San Miguel was able to pull through.
“Naghahabol kami halos all the way. Sa last five minutes ng fourth quarter, doon lang kami nakahabol,” he said, with the Jorge Gallent-coached side digging themselves back from a 13-point third-quarter hole and only tasted the lead after Chris Ross hit a corner three in the last 1:23.
“Although nag-struggle kami all throughout the game, nakuha pa rin namin yung panalo.”
Fajardo wants to visit mother
Now that the title is in the bag, the only thing in Fajardo’s mind is going back home, asking for a bit of a reprieve in Cebu before once again heeding the country’s call when Gilas Pilipinas plays Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
“Gusto kong umuwi kasi gusto kong bisitahin ang mama ko, makita yung pamilya ko kasi after nito Gilas naman tapos sunod pa yung opening ng PBA [Philippine Cup].
"Sobrang hectic ng schedule kaya papaalam muna ako, uwi muna ako at pakita muna kay mama,” he said.
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