How fit is Fajardo?
JUNE Mar Fajardo hopes that his knee won’t keep him grounded when San Miguel tries to finish off TNT in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven series.
Photograph courtesy of PBA
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JUNE Mar Fajardo hopes that his knee won’t keep him grounded when San Miguel tries to finish off TNT in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven series.
Photograph courtesy of PBA
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San Miguel Beer is crossing its fingers for prized center June Mar Fajardo to be good to go for its bid to clinch the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup title against TNT today at the Mall of Asia.
The nine-time Most Valuable Player hurt his left knee at the midway mark of the third quarter of Game 5 as the defending champions regained the best-of-seven series lead, 3-2, Friday.
Although the 6-foot-10 behemoth returned late in the fourth after sitting out the rest of the third period, his injury remains a concern.
But the Best Player of the Conference winner believes he’ll be available to help the Beermen capture their 31st crown overall.
“I think I’ll be able to play. Just some rest and therapy and I’m good,” Fajardo said after San Miguel’s pivotal 96-82 win at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
Fajardo was under close monitoring and was checked on Saturday to assess the extent of his injury.
“Hopefully, I hope he can come back (to play),” San Miguel coach Leo Austria said.
Fajardo got hurt with 6:28 left in the third quarter after making a basket that pushed the Beermen’s lead to 60-50.
The Cebuano center landed on his knees after tripping on teammate Rodney Brondial, who lost his balance and fell following a bump from TNT big man Poy Erram. Fajardo grimaced in pain and was assisted back to the bench, where he spent the rest of the period.
He returned with less than six minutes left in the fourth and scored a basket to finish the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
“Our PTs (physical therapists) wanted to see if I can still play,” the 36-year-old Fajardo said.
All Fajardo could hope for now is for the minor swelling to subside and he’ll be ready to help finish off the Tropang 5G.
“I already took painkiller and anti-inflammatory drugs. Hopefully, there won’t be any swelling,” he said.
