IT’S never, ever easy for anyone to take on seven-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo.
Take it from Raymond Almazan.
“Sobrang hirap,” said the veteran big man with a smile on his face. “I think walang makakabantay kay June Mar ng 40 minutes or the whole game.”
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The 6-foot-8 Almazan battled the 6-foot-10 Fajardo toe-to-toe in Game 3 and came away with moderate success as the Bolts pulled off a 93-89 w to take the lead in the Philippine Cup Finals, 2-1, on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Almazan finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out in the final 51 seconds.
Fajardo, also in foul trouble, was held to just 12 points on 2-of-5 shooting but grabbed 15 rebounds.
But Almazan said it was a team effort on the part of the Bolts in trying to stop and contain the San Miguel main man.
“Sabi sa amin ng mga coaches lahat kaming bigs, if you can play 40 minutes hard para pagurin si June Mar, yun ang trabaho namin,” said the 34-year-old Meralco center.
“So siguro this series, yun ang kailangan talaga naming gawin, pagurin siya (June Mar) para magakaroon kami ng better chance to win.”
The big man out of Letran was held scoreless in the 95-94 Game 2 loss, but stressed it was difficult to be active on offense and at the same time, take Fajardo on defense.
“Ang hirap kasing maging aggressive kapag foul trouble ka,” he said.
Bolts in no mood to celebrate
While the Bolts have taken back the series lead, Almazan said there’s no reason to celebrate yet for Meralco.
“Kahit nanalo kami ngayon, masaya kami ngayon, pero wala pa kasi hindi pa tapos yung series,” he added.
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