June Mar Fajardo in a stretcher after getting injured off an inbound play vs Jireh Ibañes. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Rain or Shine forward Jireh Ibañes has expressed his apologies toward San Miguel superstar June Mar Fajardo after the two-time MVP was sent to the hospital after incurring a knee injury.
Fajardo heard a “pop” as his knee buckled after landing off a rebound play against Ibañes early in the third quarter.
READ: San Miguel returns to PBA PH Cup finals; Fajardo injured
“I just tried to box him out. I did not expect that was going to happen, I hope he recovers fast for the Finals and I hope he does well,” Ibañes said Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I’m so sorry it happened hopefully it wasn’t serious, hopefully he can play in the finals so I wish him well, I pray for quick recovery.”
The big man, wincing in pain, had to be stretchered out off the playing court at the 7:11 mark of the third and was later brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City.
READ: PBA: Fajardo stretchered off the court after injuring knee
Ibañes said there was no intention to hurt Fajardo, and such instances just sometimes happen in the sport.
“It happens in basketball, sometimes when you box out, that’s it,” Ibañes said of the events. “I hope he’s okay.”
Despite Fajardo’s absence, the Beermen were able to finish off Elasto Painters in game 6, 90, 82, to advance to the finals of the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup anew.