PBA: June Mar Fajardo set for San Miguel return after hand injury

June Mar Fajardo set for return to San Miguel Beermen line up. –PBA IMAGES

June Mar Fajardo is set to make his return for San Miguel Beer in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after being sidelined with an injured left hand.

The Beermen placed Fajardo on the active roster Friday in lieu of the injured Vic Manuel, who has been placed on the unrestricted free agent with rights to receive salary (UFAWR2RS) ahead of the final two games of the eliminations.

San Miguel, currently with a 6-3 record, plays Terrafirma on Sunday and Blackwater on Jan. 12, needing to win both matches for a chance at clinching the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Phoenix, Meralco, Barangay Ginebra and NorthPort are also vying for the three other twice-to-beat slots in the playoffs.

Fajardo has been out since fracturing his hand against Rain or Shine last Nov. 29 when he was looking to block an attempt by rookie Adrian Nocum.

In Fajardo’s absence, San Miguel went 3-2 but is coming off a Christmas Day victory over Phoenix which saw the debut of new import Bennie Boatwright.

Boatwright and Fajardo are seen as forming a big presence in the paint, though the replacement for Ivan Aska has shown a more perimeter game on the offensive side.

Meanwhile, Manuel has yet to play for San Miguel this conference after undergoing knee surgery.