June Mar Fajardo shortly after being subbed out in the game against Ryukyu. –Pool Photo
MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel Beer will be without its cornerstone June Mar Fajardo when it navigates a critical juncture of its bid in the PBA Governors Cup.
The Beermen are set to miss Fajardo in the early stages of playoffs due to a knee injury he sustained in the East Asia Super League Champions Week earlier this month.
“He has an [medial collateral ligament] injury and will be out for about six weeks,” team manager Gee Abanilla told the Inquirer on Tuesday.
Abanilla said that the duration of Fajardo’s shelving depends on how the six-time Most Valuable Player fares during rehabilitation.
No. 3 San Miguel is currently toting a 7-2 record in the season-ending showcase. It faces NLEX this Wednesday in a bid to shore up its chances of notching a twice-to-beat protection in the quarterfinals.
Without Fajardo, the vaunted club will have to lean heavily on other big men Mo Tautuaa, Rodney Brondial, and now-healthy Vic Manuel to protect its interior.
San Miguel then plays Rain or Shine ElastoPainters on Friday, wrapping up the Governors’ Cup elimination round.