It is now up to San Miguel coach Leo Austria whether he will risk fielding June Mar Fajardo in Game 2 of their PBA Philippine Cup semis duel vs. Ginebra.
San Miguel superstar June Mar Fajardo got the green light to play.
This development allayed fears Fajardo will be out for a significant amount of time after suffering a right calf injury in the Beermen's 71-73 loss to Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals opener Wednesday night, June 25.
SMB team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed this Thursday, June 26, hours after the eight-time Most Valuable Player underwent an ultrasound to determine the extent of the injury.
"According to our physical therapist, the doctors have noted tightness in June Mar's calf muscles, but he is cleared to play," Abanilla said via text message.
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Fajardo felt tightness in his right calf in a game that saw the Beermen squander an early 18-point lead, 43-25, to surrender Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.
Though visibly hurting the rest of the match, the 6-foot-10 behemoth still ended up hauling down 19 rebounds on top of his mere six-point output in over 33 minutes on the floor.
June Mar Fajardo goes 3-for-10 from the field for a measly six-point output but makes up for it with his 19 boards in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Abanilla added that Fajardo would only play at the behest of head coach Leo Austria.
"His actual participation will all depend on coach Leo's discretion," Abanilla went on.
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Game 2 unfurls on Friday, June 27, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
Match kicks off at 5 p.m. to be followed by the 7:30 p.m. mainer between Rain or Shine and Grand Slam-seeking TNT.