June Mar Fajardo out for rest of EASL Champions Week with knee injury scare

June Mar Fajardo shortly after being subbed out in the game against Ryukyu. –Pool Photo

UTSUNOMIYA — San Miguel Beer cornerstone June Mar Fajardo has been ruled out for the remainder of the East Asia Super League’s Champions Week.

No less than Beermen coach Jorge Gallent bared the development shortly after the club’s 96-68 loss to Ryukyu Golden Kings at Nikkan Arena here.

“No more, he’s done,” Gallent told Filipino reporters.

Fajardo, the six-time PBA Most Valuable Player, asked to be subbed out barely five minutes into the opening quarter after hurting his knee in a collision with Ryukyu’s other import Jack Cooley.

He never returned to the contest where the Beermen trailed by as many as 31 points.

Gallent said that the team has yet to know the extent of his big man’s injury.

“The (physical therapists) will take care of him and I hope it’s nothing serious so he can play his first game back in the PBA which is on March 15,” he said.

Gallent is referring to the duel with NLEX, which is trying to lock up a twice-to-beat incentive in the season-ending Governors’ Cup.

San Miguel is headed for Okinawa on Friday morning and will play Anyang KGC and Rhenz Abando next.