By ANGELO CAPARAS
Not a walk in the park.
That was the honest opinion of San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo as he found it hard to buy a bucket against a Poy Erram-less TNT during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Friday, July 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
“Mahirap pa rin kahit wala si Poy [Erram] para sakin,” said the 8-time MVP, referring to veteran 6-foot-7 Erram who was sidelined due to an ankle injury
“Si Kelly [Williams] nakaka-shoot siya ng ilang threes. Nagda-drive siya. Syempre nahihirapan ako depensahan siya,” he added.
The Cebuano giant, who posted 33 points and 12 boards, gave the credit to his teammates for backing him up.
“Thankful ako sa mga teammates ko kasi nagpo-provide naman sila ng help para sa akin. Alam naman nila na mabe-beat ako ni Kelly, so nagpo-provide sila ng help.” added Fajardo.
SMB coach Leo Austria emphasized that even with Erram sidelined, the team continues to prepare as if the TNT big man might suit up anytime.
“We don’t know what really happened. Although I can see it naman in the replay, there’s always a surprise. Unfortunately for them, he [Erram] wasn’t able to play. But in our preparation, he is always included,” he added.
Austria also added that Rey Nambatac and the rest of the Tropang 5G crew are always considered in their preparations for any unexpected twists.
“Kahit nga si Nambatac kasama sa preparation namin ‘yun eh. Everybody—katulad ng nangyari kanina, [Almond] Vosotros talagang magic bunot nila ‘yun.”
“We have to be careful, everybody especially in the finals—kailangan bantayan,” he added.
