June Mar Fajardo. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Miguel beating Meralco was a bittersweet win for June Mar Fajardo.
Though the Beermen advanced to the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals at the expense of the Bolts, that also meant a possible end to the historic career of one Danny Ildefonso.
READ: Ildefonso keeps options open for PBA return after Bolts ouster
Though the news of Ildefonso’s retirement plans caught Fajardo in shock, he believes that his mentor still has what it takes to compete in the PBA.
“Para sa akin, sobrang aga pa. Si Asi [Taulava] nga naglalaro hanggang 40s, 37 pa lang si Kuya eh. Tingin ko kundisyon pa sya. Magaling naman sya magpakundisyon sa katawan eh,” he said.
(For me, it’s still really early. Asi Taulava is still playing at 40s, and he’s just 37 years old. I think he’s still in shape. I know he’s good in getting himself in shape.)
If that was indeed Ildefonso’s final game as a pro, Fajardo is just thankful for the opportunity to be honed by Lakay.
READ: PBA Beerman ousts Bolts to complete semis cast
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga tinuro nya. Malaking tulong sa akin yun. Di ko makakalimutan yun. Sobrang blessed din ako na nakasama ko sya for two years,” the Cebuano giant said. “Sya yung isang magandang halimbawa ng player kasi di sya mayabang. Pwede nya akong hindi turuan pero willing sya na turuan ako. Sobrang blessed ko lang kasi isang Danny I ang nagturo sa akin.”
(I’m thankful for all the things he taught me. It was a big help. I will never forget those and I’m just blessed that I played with him for two years. He’s one of the guys who’s a good example of a player because he’s not arrogant. He didn’t have to take me under his wing but he did. I’m just so blessed because there was a Danny I who’s been there to teach me.)
Fajardo, who is on pace to replicate Ildefonso’s back-to-back MVP wins in 2000 and 2001, said that he would try to convince the Ildefonso to hold his retirement, but he would respect Ildefonso’s plan if he indeed wants to call it quits.
“Nasa sa kanya na yung desisyon. Parang ang aga, pero kung desisyon nya yun, God bless na lang sa kanya,” he said.
(It’s his decision. It’s a bit early, but if it’s his decision, God bless to him.) CFC