San Miguel veteran big man Yancy de Ocampo. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
No team wants an injured player, be it a two-time MVP or one of the reserves.
When June Mar Fajardo had to miss the first four games of the finals, a 6-foot-10 hole was visible in the Beermen lane and it took three big guys to fill it.
READ: San Miguel’s Fajardo to rest 2 to 3 weeks
Yancy De Ocampo, the Beermen’s veteran reserve admitted that nobody can fill Fajardo’s role even if it took him, Gabby Espinas, and Jay-R Reyes combined—but what they did was give San Miguel their all until their MVP returned.
“Hindi naman totally mapupunan, siguro nangyari lang na wala si June Mar first four games, parang lumabas yung team character ng bawat isa,” De Ocampo, who started Game 7 even though Fajardo was back and well, Wednesday night during the Beermen’s victory party at the SMC Compound.
Without Fajardo in the pivotal Game 4 and San Miguel down 0-3 in the series, it was Espinas who took over down the stretch as he finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds.
READ: Teammates’ trust sparks Ross’ Game 7 heroics
De Ocampo said Fajardo’s absence proved to be a “blessing in disguise” for them as the Finals series became their personal playground.
“Kailangan maglaro as a team, although first three games talo kami pero talagang pinakita namin na lumalaban kami at siguro malaking bagay talaga na wala si June Mar,” De Ocampo said. “Siguro ano na rin blessing in disguise para mangyari itong tinatawag na history.”