San Miguel center June Mar Fajardo. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–June Mar Fajardo was glad to bounce back from fouling out in the previous game to play a key role in getting San Miguel Beer back on its ways in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Fajardo produced 27 points and 12 rebounds in the 145-132 win over NorthPort on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena, four days after committing six fouls in San Miguel’s defeat at the hands of Converge.
“It was frustrating,” Fajardo said in Filipino. “But that’s in the past and I have to move on. I’m thankful that I get a lot of encouragement from my teammates and coaches.”
He was held to just seven points and was whistled for the infraction four times in the fourth quarter, resulting in his early exit from the game.
Converge coach Aldin Ayo later said the ploy was to make the 6-foot-10 star a liability, which included having to face rookie center Justin Arana.
“He played great,” he said of Arana.
Though San Miguel was able to vent its ire on NorthPort and claim a sixth win in seven games in the season-ending conference, there are still kinks that Fajardo and company need to iron out, especially since the next two games are challenging.
The Beermen play Barangay Ginebra on Friday and TNT Tropang Giga on Sunday, teams at the upper half of the team standings. Hurdling at least one could be beneficial, falling short on both games may put a serious dent in their title bid.
“We played better as a team [against NorthPort]. But coach [Jorge Gallent] reminded us that we have to work on our defense. Good thing we were able to get the win and we have plenty of assists,” he said.