SAN Miguel star big man June Mar Fajardo is likely to sit out the start of the team’s campaign in the just opened PBA Philippine Cup.
Sources told Spin.ph that Fajardo has missed the Berrmen’s practices since Monday and an MRI scan comfirmed a calf muscle injury he suffered in the last Commissioner's Cup Finals against Magnolia has yet to fully heal.
READ June Mar Fajardo defies doctor's advice to rest hurting calf
Another source bared Fajardo is projected to miss the first three weeks of the campaign. The Beermen open their all-Filipino conference on March 15 against Rain or Shine.
“Kailangan nya magpagaling ng atleast 2 weeks then 1 week recovery. Yan pa lang unang assessment,” said the source.
Since the Beermen's run to the title in the Commissioner’s Cup, the 6-10 center has been mostly in his hometown of Pinamungajan in Cebu. He joined Gilas Pilipinas team in the first window of the Fiba Asia Qualifying but didn't play.
For those who don't know, Fajardo is allowed to skip the first few days of Beermen practices to recover and recharge. But the source said, his absence in the team’s first five practices was a different case.
“Injured pa rin siya eh. So, gusto ipa-check ng management kung okay na ang lagay n'ya bago siya isalang sa laro. He’s not getting any younger,” said the source.
Fajardo hurt his calf and had to leave at the 5:14 mark of Game 4 against the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, which won the February 10 match.
A calf muscle injury usually requires 6-8 weeks of recovery and with Fajardo’s body weight and banged-up body, experts believe he will need more than that.
“Kailangan nya ma-i-rest talaga at treatment. Actually, kaya 'yan ng mas mabilis. Kaya lang yung katawan nya bugbog sa laro eh. Ilan na ang mileage nya. Kaya yun ang concern,” said well-known sports trainer and physical therapist Dr. Runel Rabino of the Body and Mind Rejuvenation Clinic in Xavierville, Quezon City.
The US-educated pain management specialist also advised Fajardo to observe good sleeping habits.
“Ang advise ko for him to recover faster is for June Mar to make it a habit to sleep from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., atleast, because that’s where our bodies repair damaged tissues and muscles. Dyang time na 'yan nagre-repair ang body, even our system like liver and kidney,” said Rabino.
Rabino also lauded the Beermen management’s move to have Fajardo’s injury checked via the MRI.
“Maganda yun kasi para accurately makita kung ano ang damage. Kaso bakit ngayon lang? February 14 pa natapos ang series di ba?” said Rabino.
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