Banged-up Fajardo preparing the final blow

San Miguel Beer star June Mar Fajardo could already feel the physical toll of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup playoffs on his body.

The 6-foot-10 center may have seemed to be back in top form with a double-double average in their best-of-seven finals series against the TNT Tropang 5G but he admitted that he is still dealing with the pain of the calf injury he sustained in the semifinals.

So, given the chance to finish off the battered and injury-plagued Tropang 5G in Game 5 of the title series, Fajardo and the rest of the San Miguel crew are determined to get the job done today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Of course. We want to finish the (series) so that we can rest,” Fajardo said after the Beermen took Game 4 in a convincing 105-91 victory last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Momentum is on San Miguel’s side after stringing three straight wins following a controversial Game 1 loss.

Only two teams have overcame a 1-3 finals series in league history, the last were the Beermen in their ‘Beeracle’ run from 0-3 down to upset Alaska in the 2015-2016 Philippine Cup.

San Miguel, obviously, doesn’t want TNT to get the luxury of initiating a comeback.

“Because if the series continues, they may get a momentum, and we don’t know what will happen. So, if we can win the game on Wednesday, we’ll try to get it,” the 12-time Best Player of the Conference said.

“But it’s not an easy game, for sure.”

Fajardo also wants to finish it tonight to get a much-needed respite and recovery for his not fully healed injury.

The eight-time Most Valuable Player hurt his right calf in Game 1 of the semis against Barangay Ginebra. He had to come off the bench in a couple of games before returning as starter as the Beermen booted out the Kings in the best-of-seven series that went the full distance.

“It’s still swollen but our PTs (physical therapists) are taking good care of me. Coach (Leo Austria) is also allowing me to take some rest during practice so that I’ll be ready during the game,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo averaged 22.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game in the championship series.