FOR one of the best PBA defenders of all time, taking on 6-foot-10 and nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo is without a doubt one big challenge.
It’s one of the biggest 'what ifs' for retired forward Chris Jackson after getting a close look at how Fajardo operates in the frontcourt for San Miguel during its Governors’ Cup showdown against defending champion TNT on Saturday night.
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The 6-foot-4 Jackson, who’s back in the country together with his family for a brief visit, admitted running through his mind how he’ll be able to fare against the massive SMB center while watching him rule the court at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“As a competitor and a basketball player, in my mind, what can I do to make life difficult for him on the court?” said the man that goes by the moniker ‘Stonewall Jackson’ and ‘Action Jackson,’ when asked about his thoughts on Fajardo.
“I wish our times could have been the same,” the now 60-year-old player added. “I’ve seen clips of him, but this is the first time I’ve seen him play. He’s big and I know he’s done well, a nine-time MVP.”
Fajardo had a modest game against the Tropang 5G, finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists in a 93-89 overtime loss to TNT.
Still, Jackson, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time member of the All-Defensive Team playing for Sta. Lucia and Formula Shell, believes he’ll definitely have his hands full trying to contain the 35-year-old Fajardo.
“He’s physically bigger and that poses a different problem,” he said.
And yet despite the size discrepancies, Jackson have had his share of successes taking on players of his same size or in some cases, those who were bigger than him.
“I had the same thing guarding Nelson (Asaytono) and (Cap) Alvin (Patrimonio),” he said, while likewise mentioning the likes of former MVPs Asi Taulava and Eric Menk.
“You know, everybody had their challenges, and I had my challenges guarding those guys, too,” said Jackson, who won two PBA championships while donning the Formula Shell jersey.
“I would have thought of something, and hopefully, I would have it if it came to be.”
Like Jackson, Fajardo is also a seven-time member of the All-Defensive team and was once a Defensive Player of the Year winner.
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