San Miguel may have to manage June Mar Fajardo's minutes in its opening assignment against Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Friday, March 15.
June Mar Fajardo will be a game-time decision when San Miguel debuts in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup against Rain or Shine on Friday, March 15.
Fajardo suffered a calf injury during the Beermen's Commissioner's Cup finals showdown against Magnolia more than a month ago.
And while he has played through pain to help give San Miguel its 29th trophy in the league, he missed out on his Gilas Pilipinas duties for the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers thereafter.
Beermen team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed Fajardo's status to One Sports via text message Thursday.
While Fajardo looks ready to wreak havoc in the league again, San Miguel may have to manage his playing time.
“Game-time decision for the coaches, but, in my opinion, he looks good. Maybe they just have to manage his minutes,” said Abanilla.
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Fajardo sat out the final stretch in San Miguel's 96-85 Game Four loss to Magnolia, citing tightness in his left calf.
He subsequently gained the admiration of Beermen coach Jorge Gallent as he defied the doctor's orders and played through pain to power the squad to a 108-98 Game Five triumph over the Hotshots.
Fajardo went on to wrap up the championship for the Beermen via a 104-102 clincher in Game Six before skipping Gilas Pilipinas' matches against Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei last Feb. 22 and 25, respectively, as he was asked to rest for two weeks.