EVEN with June Mar Fajardo not in full strength, San Miguel still found a way to win Game 3.
The nine-time MVP is apparently bothered by an injury on his right shoulder that he's been dealing with for a couple of games now.
Despite playing hurt, Fajardo still churned huge numbers, turning in 20-20 games over the past three games prior to Game 3, a first by a local to do such feat.
READ: June Mar makes history after posting third straight 20-20 game
On Friday, that streak was snapped as the shoulder appeared to have affected his play. His right shoulder was being iced numerous times over the course of Game 3.
He went scoreless for the first three quarters of the game. He finally scored his first points of the game on two free throws with 11:17 left in the fourth quarter.
Fajardo later scored his first field goal on a putback with 10:35 left, before splitting his two free throws on two occasions later in the game.
He finished with six points on 1-of-8 shooting from the field, and 4-of-7 from the foul line in Game 3. By scoring in the match-up, Fajardo extends his streak of games that he had at least a point to 325, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
Though hurt, Fajardo was still able to haul 19 rebounds in San Miguel’s 91-85 win over Barangay Ginebra to snatch the lead in the semifinal series.
Fajardo played down the injury, although he admitted the shoulder injury is also due to his battles with his fellow players on the court.
He also said he began feeling pain on his shoulder during the quarterfinals against NLEX last Christmas,
But Fajardo said he is no longer thinking about the injury as he plans to play through it until the end of the conference.
“Okay naman. Kailangan lang pahinga,” Fajardo said.
“Parang hila hila,” said Fajardo on how he got the injury. “Part ‘yun ng game. Hindi na kailangan mag-dwell. Hindi ko kailangan anuhin ‘to kasi semifinals na ‘to.”
“Nung Game 1 palang (ng semifinals) pero nung NLEX pa ito. Pero kaya," he continued.
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