The Fajardo factor

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

San Miguel Beer vs. Barangay Ginebra for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup looks dead even. At least that’s the way some of the other coaches see it.

“San Miguel will win in seven games,” NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said as the series, which the Beermen need to win to creep closer to another shot at a Grand Slam, starts on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. “It’s a very close, even series.”

Guiao sees how the Gin Kings and Tim Cone can take the Beermen to the distance—and possibly win it for themselves.

“The June Mar (Fajardo) advantage can be neutralized, or at least contained, with (Greg) Slaughter there,” Guiao said. “And knowing coach Tim, he can use Japeth (Aguilar) as help defense [for Fajardo].”

Norman Black also sees the series going to a Game 7, but predicts Ginebra to come out on top—not because of the big men angle but because of Justin Brownlee.

“He has been exceptional, not to say that (Renaldo) Balkman is not playing well,” Black said. “But in the last seven games or so, Brownlee has been dominant.”

And Black didn’t fail to mention the obvious: “And Ginebra will have the crowd support every game. I remember that during the time we played them while I was San Miguel coach. And that always gives them the edge.”

San Miguel has won six of the last 10 conferences with coach Leo Austria a perfect 6-for-6 in the run.

“I have no idea,” Alaska’s Alex Compton told the Inquirer when asked for his forecast. “All I know is that San Miguel is awesome and Ginebra is really good.”

But Compton seems to have given the Gin Kings a slight edge: “And coach Tim is the winningest coach of all time.”

Cone gets to challenge Austria with a complete lineup this time. The last time they clashed in the title series, it was 4-1 San Miguel’s way with Slaughter sidelined because of a foot injury.

TNT KaTropa’s Nash Racela sees it going the Beermen’s way, but in six games.

“Ginebra, with their lineup, can match up better with San Miguel than any other team in the league,” Racela said. “But San Miguel has June Mar (Fajardo) and that counts for a lot.”

Fajardo will be shooting to win a record sixth Best Player of the Conference award and avenge a title series loss to Slaughter during their collegiate days in Cebu 11 years ago.

And that only adds to the motivation for Fajardo, who can take the Beermen along for the ride once again. No matter how bumpy this one gets.