June Mar Fajardo got a much-needed three-week break after a busy year in the PBA and Gilas Pilipinas. Now he looks more ready than ever to wreak havoc in the PBA Season 50.
To his inner circle, June Mar Fajardo rarely goes out of the way to recover from a restless PBA season.
Literally and figuratively.
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For Fajardo — who is not one to go on leisure trips in between conferences — spending time with his family back in their humble abode in Pinamungajan, Cebu is more than enough.
But for a change, the eight-time MVP did the opposite.
After a year that saw him win two championships with San Miguel and go straight to Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in Saudi Arabia hurt, it appeared Fajardo needed to go out this time.
First on his list was Oslob, Cebu where the 6-foot-10 swam with the mammoth whale sharks with his closest friends.
“First time ko 'yun. Lapit lang sakin nun pero first time ko makapunta,” said Fajardo, who played through calf, hamstring, and quads injury from the Philippine Cup playoffs to the FIBA Asia Cup.
Then they made stops in Siquijor and Bohol before returning home and enjoying the rest of Fajardo’s three-week break from everything basketball.
Fajardo had no regrets.
“Mabuti nagawa ko yun,” he said.
It’s just the break Fajardo needed before plunging into action again for the PBA 50th season.
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With teams upgrading their lineups in time for the prestigious conference, a revitalized Fajardo looks more ready than ever to strut his stuff on the court.
“'Yung kompetitisyon ngayon sobrang hirap kasi 'yung ibang teams nagpapalakas. Kami rin naman gusto rin naming magpalakas kasi may goal kami kailangan namin mag-champion,” he said.
Fajardo and the Beermen kickstart their title-retention campaign against NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday, October 8 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.