Rain or Shine put the cuffs on June Mar Fajardo, but San Miguel still came away with the victory in Game Three of their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal series on Wednesday, May 22.
As far as offense was concerned, June Mar Fajardo was a non-factor in San Miguel’s 117-107 win over Rain or Shine in Game Three of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, May 22.
The seven-time Most Valuable Player just could not conjure his usual magic on the post as he settled for just 11 points on a 9-for-21 shooting from the field.
Beermen coach Jorge Gallent, speaking to reporters shortly after the win at the Dasmarinas City Arena in Cavite, did not seem concerned.
“June Mar had his shots; he had open shots. It just wasn’t going in. He just has to practice more on that,” Gallent said after San Miguel moved a win away from another finals appearance with its commanding 3-0 lead against the Elasto Painters in their best-of-seven series.
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Perhaps the 6-foot-10 behemoth wore himself out after powering the Beermen in their last three playoff victories prior to Wednesday’s match, where he averaged 23.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 blocks.
Fajardo, after all, also had to extend his defense outside to close out Keith Datu and Beau Belga’s shots from deep.
“Maybe he’s kind of tired. His legs are tired. But he did a great job defending their big guys,” Gallent said.
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Rain or Shine makes it hard for San Miguel behemoth June Mar Fajardo to produce his usual numbers in their Game 3 semis battle. | Photo (c) PBA
Despite his scoring woes, Fajardo made his presence felt in the other departments, logging 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal.
“June Mar’s effort was there. He has to do a lot of things. He has to score, he has to chase their big men because they shoot a lot of threes and they spread the floor,” said Gallent.
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Gallent and the Beermen will count on that effort once again when they go for the jugular against Rain or Shine in Game Four on Friday, May 24, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.