Endgame composure key to beating Star, says Fajardo

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

After a one month layoff, June Mar Fajardo is just happy to be on the winning side once again.

“Syempre isang buwan din kami naghintay sa first game. Ang sarap sa feeling na manalo ulit,” he said after San Miguel’s 96-88 victory over Star to open the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday.

The three-time PBA Most Valuable Player picked up where he left off, finishing with 25 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Fajardo also said San Miguel got a little bit too excited with the new season.

“Noong first quarter, sobrang gigil talaga kami. May mga times na gusto talaga naming umiskor.”

Those early miscues allowed the Hotshots to stay in the game and even take a nine-point lead, 86-77 early in the fourth.

But the Beermen’s poise reigned in the end, using a 15-0 blast to retake the lead and cruise to the season-opening triumph.

“Pinakita namin yung composure namin sa dulo. Gusto talaga naming manalo eh,” he said. “Sinunod namin yung game plan namin na hindi kami makikipagsabayan sa takbuhan at i-set namin yung plays namin. Pag sumabay kasi kami sa takbuhan, napapagod at maiiwan kami kasi hindi naman ganoon yung laro namin eh.”

Fajardo also noted that San Miguel was able to breathe that sigh of relief after numerous conferences of falling short in its opening game.

“May history kami na every first game, natatalo kami eh. Buti ngayon nanalo kami kaya positive start,” he said.