San Miguel nearing full force with June Mar Fajardo’s slated return

June Mar Fajardo in action in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. -PBA IMAGES

June Mar Fajardo, the San Miguel cornerstone and the PBA’s resurgent Most Valuable Player (MVP), is on pace to rejoin the powerhouse squad just before it enters the perilous stages of the Commissioner’s Cup.

San Miguel coaching staff has pegged a Jan. 12 return for the seven-time MVP when the Beermen play the pathetic Blackwater Bossing.

“He’s doing really well and I see no reason why there would be any setbacks at this point,” team manager Gee Abanilla told the Inquirer on Wednesday afternoon.

“[B]ut we have to seek clearance first from the doctor to make it official,” the amiable executive added.

Fajardo, who reclaimed the MVP after returning from a career-threatening shinbone injury, has been shelved for weeks due to a metacarpal fracture.

The left-hand injury has forced the Cebuano hotshot to miss five games, with San Miguel managing to win only three of those matches.

Chasing playoff bonus

An earlier return would not only help the 6-3 Beermen wiggle themselves out of a fourth place tie with defending champion and corporate sibling Barangay Ginebra, but it could also help bolster their chances of tabbing a twice-to-beat protection come the first round of the playoffs.

More importantly, Fajardo returning earlier than expected should buy him and new import Bennie Boatwright Jr. more time to get used to each other in preparation for the knockout rounds.

Boatwright, who replaced original import Ivan Aska, delivered 26 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and a steal in the victory against streaking Phoenix Super LPG last Christmas Day.

San Miguel’s other remaining game is against Terrafirma, which is trying to catch the final playoff ticket. How the Beermen fare in those two final duels will also determine who they will face in the playoffs.

Fajardo has been doing weights training even while sidelined, getting him in some sort of good physical shape when he returns.