FAJARDO FACTOR
June Mar Fajardo’s calf injury could factor in on how things could turn out on Friday as San Miguel Beer tries to get back at Barangay Ginebra and pull even in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
The scene shifts to Ninoy Aquino Stadium for the 5 p.m. affair, with Fajardo expected to suit up after playing with an obvious limp two nights ago when the Beermen squandered an 18-point lead that paved the way for the Gin Kings to take a thrilling 73-71 win.
“The doctors have noted tightness in June Mar’s calf muscles,” team manager Gee Abanilla said, relaying the information he got from San Miguel’s physical therapist.
“But he is cleared to play and his actual participation for [Game 2] will all depend on Coach Leo [Austria’s] discretion,” he added.
Fajardo was held to six points, but he still grabbed 19 rebounds in the best-of-seven opener at SM Mall of Asia Arena, which San Miguel failed to secure as Ginebra orchestrated its signature comeback in the fourth quarter.
He did have a chance to put the Beermen ahead in the final seconds, but his layup was blocked by Japeth Aguilar amid the double-team that also involved Troy Rosario, and Ginebra prevailed in a low-scoring affair.
“Japeth did a good job of challenging that shot and we were able to secure a rebound,” said Cone after it appeared that Fajardo was able to find some room for a basket despite San Miguel panicking to avoid getting a five-second inbound violation.
It wasn’t just Aguilar, Rosario, Scottie Thompson and Stephen Holt who were responsible for the victory as Cone dug deep into his bench, which he later said was done out of necessity.
Cone fielded Jeremiah Gray, Nards Pinto and seldom-used Raymond Aguilar while trying to erase San Miguel’s lead in the second half. The other Aguilar took advantage of the short minutes, tallying six points while also trying to contain Fajardo on the other end.
“It’s really our job to provide energy every time our number is called,” Raymond said in Filipino. The benchwarmer-slash-cult favorite often gets action when the outcome is already in Ginebra’s favor.
CJ Perez once again led the scoring charge for San Miguel, as he had from the tail end of the eliminations, and dropped 21 points.
Meanwhile, TNT will also aim to take a 2-0 lead on Rain or Shine in Friday’s other Game 2 at 7:30 p.m.
The Tropang 5G opened the semis with a 98-91 victory behind a collective effort anchored by RR Pogoy, Poy Erram, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and even Jordan Heading.
