SMB bigs ready for tough grind ahead amid Fajardo injury concerns

(From L-R) Gabby Espinas, Yancy de Ocampo, and Jay-R Reyes. Photos by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net, PBA IMAGES

Every one in San Miguel, and probably in the league, believes that no one can match the contributions of a June Mar Fajardo.

And with the two-time MVP’s status uncertain for a grind house Finals series against Alaska, the San Miguel bigs could only hope for the best.

“Sana wala namang masamang nangyari kay June Mar kasi kailangan talaga namin sya. Wala namang may gustong mangyari yun,” said Gabby Espinas.

READ: Fajardo’s ACL, PCL ‘intact,’ but likely to miss PBA finals game 1

Veteran Yancy de Ocampo admits it’s going to be a tougher battle against the Aces if Fajardo doesn’t suit up.

“Sa mindset namin, OK sya dahil mahirap pag wala si June Mar. Nagre-rely yung team sa kanya at malaking kawalan pag di sya nakalaro.”

Unfortunately, time is not on the side of the Beermen this time as Fajardo may not be able to be cleared out for Sunday, with Alaska waiting in the wings to start the best-of-7 series of the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup.

But for team captain Arwind Santos, though the team knows the gravity of Fajardo’s imminent absence, the Beermen has all the tools to still compete against the Aces.

READ: PBA: Apologetic Ibañes says he meant no harm against Fajardo

“Lahat naman gusto makapaglaro si June Mar dahil isa yan sa mga dragon na inaalagaan namin. Kailangan na kailangan namin sya,” he said. “Pero kung di sya makalaro, kahit anong mangyari ibibigay pa rin namin yung best namin. Andun pa rin ang trust namin sa isa’t isa. Andun pa rin naman yung puso namin, kung paano namin patutunayan na kahit nagrerecover si June Mar at kami ay kulang, kaya pa rin naming manalo.”

The scenario is also a challenge for the San Miguel big men, all veterans in their own right, to fill the hole that Fajardo’s absence leaves.

“Si June Mar, 40-points, double-double lagi. Sya yung dominante,” said Santos. “Masasabi namin na malaking kawalan, pero may tiwala ako sa mga kasama ko na kahit wala si June Mar, andyan sila Yancy, JayR Reyes, at Gabby. Lahat ng kaposisyon nya, isa na sila sa mga aasahan.”

READ: PBA: Fajardo stretchered off the court after injuring knee

Jay-R Reyes, one of San Miguel’s back up bigmen, is ready for the the workload that is ahead of them.

“Ever since mag-start ang season, ni-remind na kami ni coach na heavy minutes si June Mar. Proven na yun kasi two-time MVP sya,” chimed Reyes. “Sabi lang ni coach, dapat ready lang. Matagal na kami sa PBA so alam na namin yung roles namin, kaya ngayong wala si June Mar, kailangan matulungan namin ng malaki yung team.”

De Ocampo and Espinas, who have had big games in the past for San Miguel whenever Fajardo is in trouble, knows what’s needed of them for this series.

“Pag di nakalaro yung main man, dapat lahat mag-step up at lalong maging disiplinado,” De Ocampo sai.

“Siguro gagawin namin kung ano yung meron kaming piyesa ngayon,” said Espinas. “Kailangan lang talaga mag-step up. Di lang doble, triple pa. Yung nagagawa ng isang June Mar Fajardo sa team namin, di pwedeng punuan ng isang player lang. Siguro lahat ng bench players na ipapasok, kailangan mag-step up.”

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