Fajardo ready to play mentor’s role

June Mar Fajardo goes up for a shot. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Four years removed from his rookie days, June Mar Fajardo is entering the upcoming season as a veteran who is tasked to help hone new talents in San Miguel.

This 2017 Philippine Cup, he will have a chance to mentor Beermen neophyte Arnold Van Opstal, who was supposedly picked by the team as his “sparring partner.”

The three-time Most Valuable Player expressed his readiness for the challenge as he gets another body to help him protect the paint for San Miguel.

“Syempre excited ako sa kung ano ang maitutulong nya sa team. Nandoon naman kami as veterans para tulungan sya eh,” he said.

Van Opstal earlier said he wants to try and extend the defense and play in the perimeter when he suits up for San Miguel and Fajardo believes that could only be beneficial for the defending Philippine Cup champs.

“Malaking bagay sa amin yung gusto nyang gawin kasi mase-stretch nya yung depensa tulad ng ginagawa ni Arwind (Santos),” he said.

Though Fajardo is still on his prime, he will have a chance to impart his knowledge to the Fil-German rookie, the same way his mentor Danny Ildefonso did way back.

“Lahat naman tayo dumaan sa pagiging rookie eh. Mahirap yun dahil kailangan mo pa na mag-adjust kaya tutulungan namin sya para din sa kapakanan ng team,” Fajardo said, sharing he wants to take Van Opstal under his wings and still improve his craft at the same time.

“Kung ano ang sa tingin ko na pwede ko maitulong sa kanya, tulad nung sa post moves, gagawin ko naman yun para matulungan sya.”