While awaiting for injured stars June Mar Fajardo, Cjay Perez, and Jericho Cruz to recover, the San Miguel Beermen have begun their initial preparations for PBA Season 50.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria made sure to grant his banged up players an extended rest following a hectic schedule.
Austria bared the Beermen already returned to work just a month after regaining their tag as All-Filipino kings following their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup conquest.
[RELATED STORY: Perez, Cruz share spotlight as SMB finally sees off TNT in Game 6 for PBA Philippine Cup title]
Notably missing, however, were June Mar Fajardo, Cjay Perez, and newly-minted Finals MVP Jericho Cruz.
But Austria understands the trio still need to recover after going straight to their respective national team duties right after the PBA season ended.
Fajardo and Perez suited up for Gilas Pilipinas, while Cruz donned the the threads of Guam in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Saudi, Arabia. They are expected to rejoin the team before the PBA Season 50 Draft, set for September 7.
“I think after next week they will join the practice. Nagpaalam naman sila,” the 10-time PBA champion coach told One Sports.
Apart from that, Austria is also allowing them to recover from injuries, with Fajardo still nursing the hamstring issue he sustained in the semifinals against Ginebra.
“Alam natin si June Mar isn’t playing 100 percent because of the injuries na nakuha niya during first game ng semifinals. We’re so happy na-manage siya ng aming mga PT at trainers to survive until the Finals,” said Austria.
“After nung Game 6, we had a victory party for the fans pero di siya nakarating dahil namamaga yung kaniyang legs, hindi siya makapaglakad nang maayos.”
[ALSO READ: June Mar Fajardo reignites ultimate PBA dream: winning a Grand Slam with San Miguel Beer]
Perez, on the other hand, suffered a Grade 3 sprain in Gilas’ win over Saudi Arabia in the qualification for the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup.
“He was advised by the doctor to rest for three weeks. After three weeks hopefully mag heal yung kaniyang injury and then mag start siya ng kaniyang therapy at strengthening sa kaniyang ankle,” said Austria.
[ALSO READ: Injuries to Calvin Oftana, Cjay Perez cast cloud over Gilas ahead of Australia game in FIBA Asia Cup]
Meanwhile, Cruz sat out Guam’s last two games against Japan and South Korea after hurting his hamstring.
In his game prior, Cruz put on an MVP performance and shot game-high five triples on his way to 20 points in a historic 82-73 win over Syria.
[ALSO READ: Jericho Cruz stars as Guam scores historic FIBA Asia Cup win against Syria]
“Si Jericho, hindi siya nakalaro sa last game[s] niya sa Guam because of the tightening of his hamstring. He was advised by the therapist na it’s better for him to rest,” Austria said.
But coach Leo is confident his prized cogs will recover sooner rather than later and rejoin the team in practice, with the Beermen gearing up for the 50th season of the PBA.
“I’m sure itong mga players na ito di naman nagpapabaya eh, kahit papano magpapakundisyon itong mga ‘to kaya lang hindi sila pwedeng tumakbo,” he said.
The Philippine Cup opens on October 5, just a month after the PBA Draft at the MOA Music Hall.