Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Playing for San Miguel is already enough motivation for four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo to play his guts out.
But in the presence of the league’s original dominant big man, Fajardo wanted to make sure he would leave an indelible impression on the legendary Ramon Fernandez.
And Fajardo did just that when the Kraken spearheaded San Miguels’ early-game rally against Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of their semifinals series in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Fajardo said the mere presence of Fernandez, who sat courtside at Mall of Asia Arena, served as an inspiration for him to help lead the Beermen in their 102-81 rout of the Gin Kings.
Ramon Fernandez at courtside. PBA IMAGES
“Of course he always inspires me because he’s one of my mentors even when I was still in Cebu,” said Fajardo in Filipino Thursday.
San Miguel was down early in the game, 12-7, but that five-point deficit was enough fuel for Fajardo’s ember to turn into a blazing inferno.
Fajardo scored 10 of his total 14 points in the Beermen’s 25-10 run to closeout the first period which blew the game wide open the defending champions.
The Kraken added that Fernandez, who also has four MVPs in his name, wanted to see a hook shot but with Fajardo’s teammates catching fire he didn’t have the chance to show off his smooth post moves.
It’s fitting only fitting since the hook is the same maneuver that earned Fernandez 18,996 points in his career, the most in PBA history.
“He told me that I should take a hook shot but I wasn’t able to attempt it,” said Fajardo, who had ample help as five of his teammates scored at least 10. “He’s always telling me to use it because it’s very hard to stop.”
Marcio Lassiter led San Miguel with 23 points while Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos had 19 and 16 points, respectively.
Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and Chris Ross also finished in double figures for the Beermen with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Fajardo, however, promised Fernandez that he would take the classic hook shot in the near future.
“I want to take a hook shot, soon I’ll go for it,” said Fajardo.