San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo allayed concerns of an extended absence due to a hyperextended right elbow.

The nine-time Most Valuable Player looks to suit up on Saturday against Terrafirma after sitting out the Beermen’s opening game in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

Fajardo was in street clothes and watched San Miguel demolish guest team Macau, 123-109, on Tuesday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo for a rousing start in Group A of the season-ending conference despite missing its franchise player and head coach Leo Austria.

“My elbow is still swollen. Just needed a little rest,” the 12-time PBA champion said.

The 36-year-old Cebu pride sustained a minor injury during Gilas Pilipinas’ loss to Australia in the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier in Perth.

With enough rest, Fajardo is confident he’ll be back in action in no time.

“I’ll be joining practice and hopefully, I’ll be able to play on Saturday,” Fajardo said.

The 13-time Best Player of the Conference brushed his injury as just a sore elbow.

“Nothing serious. It’s all okay, just needed some rest,” he said.

On the other hand, Austria also needed a day off due to an illness, as assistant coach Peter Martin took over the reins.

With Fajardo out, Rodney Brondial stepped up at the center position and flirted with a triple-double.

Brondial pulled down 25 rebounds to go with 10 points and seven assists. He also had four steals and a block in a productive 34-minute outing as a starter.

George King led San Miguel with 30 points while CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz scored 21 and 20 markers, respectively.

The Beermen will head back to the Antipolo venue to face the Dyip in the curtain-raiser at 5:15 p.m. followed by the 7:30 main event between Rain or Shine and Meralco.