Fajardo determined to find ways to stop hulking Smith
June Mar Fajardo. PBA IMAGES
June Mar Fajardo admitted that TNT behemoth Joshua Smith is definitely one of the toughest guys he has ever faced in his young professional career.
“He’s definitely one of the heaviest. You can see that he’s really that big,” the reigning three-time PBA MVP said in Filipino after San Miguel’s 104-102 Game 1 defeat in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Fajardo had a tough time defending Smith in the post and that was evident when he failed to stop the burly reinforcement’s game-clinching hook shot with 1.6 seconds to spare.
READ: Smith game-winner lifts TNT past San Miguel for 1-0 lead
“He was able to make it,” Fajardo said of TNT’s crucial play down the stretch. “His hook shot is good, so we have to adjust on how to stop him. The game was really for them.”
The KaTropa took the 1-0 series lead in the best-of-seven championship duel.
Fajardo, who toiled for his 18 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, got a reprieve in the second half when Smith’s left foot injury hampered him in two separate occasions. But Smith was still unstoppable down the stretch.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Fajardo opted to stay optimistic as he shifts his focus on Friday for Game 2.
“TNT had a good defense, so it’s up to us to adjust. We have to rest, practice tomorrow, and bounce back,” he said.
