By ANGELO CAPARAS
San Miguel Beer is just a win away from winning the coveted PBA Philippine Cup but June Mar Fajardo is not about take it easy. Not yet.
Knowing full well the ability of the Grand Slam-seeking TNT to come back, Fajardo said his job is far from over.
The12-time Best Player of the Conference is in fact bracing for a battle royale in Game 5 of their best-of-seven title on Wednesday, July 23, at the Araneta Coliseum.
“‘Yun nga, hindi muna [namin] papangunahan kasi marami pang pwedeng mangyari. Basta kami, gagawin namin yung best namin. Magpa-practice kami before magstart yung finals [Game 5],” said Fajardo after team’s 105-91victory on Sunday at the Mall of Asian Arena in Pasay City in a win that gave them a commanding 3-1 advantage.
But he’s hoping they could complete their mission.
“Sana makuha namin sa Wednesday [‘yung championship]. Pero alam naman natin kung gaano kagaling TNT, magba-bounce back ‘yun, try nilang ipanalo yung game, pero kami, try nila namin i-closeout,” he added.
The Cebuano gentle giant who finished with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds, also admitted he had a hard time dealing with Tropang 5G’s adjustments.
“‘Yung adjustment ng TNT, pinapa-front ako ni Kelly [Williams]. Nahihirapan ako makatanggap ng bola, tapos may double sila gano’n.”
“Pero good thing pumapasok ang tira namin sa labas. ‘Yun ‘yung nagpapanalo sa amin,” he added.
Battling injury – swollen feet – Fajardo stressed the importance of finishing the series in Game 5, noting that dragging it out could shift the momentum to TNT.
“Maga nga e. Pero okay naman. Andon naman mga PTs namin, inaalagaan naman nila ako. […] para ready ako sa game.”
“Syempre gusto namin matapos [sa Game 5] para makapagpahinga kami. Baka kasi kapag humaba pa kasi yung series, magkaharoon pa sila [TNT] ng momentum,” he added.
