Fajardo ‘on track’ with recovery from leg injury, says Austria

FILE – San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo during a game against Barangay Ginebra in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel head coach Leo Austria isn’t leaving anything to chance when it comes to six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.

The Beermen’s jovial giant is still recovering after undergoing leg surgery before the 2020 PBA season started and Austria said that it may still be a long time before Fajardo gets back on the court.

Austria isn’t expecting Fajardo to return this year.

“We can see that his improvement is on track and, for me, he should be at 110 percent and that he’s not even thinking about his injury anymore,” Austria told INQUIRER.net Sunday.

“I think next season is when he’ll be able to play because the doctor gave him 10-12 months of rest time so that he’s in maximum health before we can say he’s back to normal.”

Fajardo fractured his right tibia which derailed his bid for a seventh straight MVP trophy.

Even though the league’s in hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria said that the extended season doesn’t mean that Fajardo could come back for the current season.

Austria added the team is continuing to keep tabs on Fajardo’s situation, including the limited rehab the 6-foot-10 center is doing since he’s quarantined at home, and that there’s no need to worry much about the eight-time champion.

“We’re monitoring him and I know he’s busy with Dota,” said Austria with a laugh. “He’s healthy and I know we don’t need to disturb him much. He’s well and I’m happy with that.”