San Miguel expects June Mar Fajardo to miss entire PBA season

June Mar Fajardo has San Miguel’s backing during his recovery. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

MANILA, Philippines — June Mar Fajardo has been deemed out for the Philippine Cup as he continues his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured right shin.

But San Miguel Beer governor Robert Non feels the injury could keep Fajardo sidelined for a much longer period of time, making this year’s Philippine Cup the most challenging one yet as far as the Beermen’s title-retention bid is concerned.

“This year, is going to be the toughest. Normally, we miss June Mar for one to three days, one week. I don’t think he can come back second conference or even third conference because his injury is like Paul George’s, it’s severe,” said SMB governor Robert Non.

Non was referring to the American NBA star, who sustained a compound fracture of both bones in his lower right leg in 2014 and came back even stronger the following year.

It’s been three weeks since the 30-year-old Fajardo went under the knife and San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua said SMC is giving the five-time MVP all the time in the world to ensure his full recovery.

After all, Fajardo has led the Beermen to eight championships in just the last five seasons.

“We will give June Mar every bit of rest he needs. He will only practice when he’s 110 percent,” said Chua in Filipino in a story on the PBA website.

“June Mar is a one of a kind person. He’s super nice, very polite. He even felt bad when he got injured because he really wants to help San Miguel and the national team,” he added. “I told him to rest so that he’ll come back stronger because he’s done so much.”