San Miguel coach Leo Austria admired June Mar Fajardo’s resolve after playing through pain in his left shoulder during the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup playoffs.
As he marched towards the foul line early in the fourth period, June Mar Fajardo was obviously in pain as he was clutching his left shoulder Friday night, January 9.
Those were his first points on a night he uncharacteristically struggled on the offensive end.
Fortunately for San Miguel, Don Trollano stepped up and erupted for 33 points to lift the Beermen to a 91-85 win over Ginebra in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals.
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After etching history with three straight 20-20 games, Fajardo wound up with six points on 1-of-8 shooting from the field.
“Defense was really working out for us because we just allowed them to score 85 points even though June Mar is not 100 percent because of the (pain in his) shoulder,” said SMB coach Leo Austria after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“He got it during the first two games. There’s a lot of players who want to get him out. Sometimes nasasaktan siya.”
Struggling and all, Fajardo soldiered on and remained an imposing presence inside the paint as the rest of the Beermen rallied behind him.
Austria couldn’t help but admire the nine-time MVP’s resolve.
“I appreciate him. Hindi sya nagco-complain e. Then nung pinapahinga ko sya gusto pa niya maglaro,” he said.
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Austria later added: “You have to appreciate June Mar because may nararamdaman siya o wala, yung presence niya nararamdaman ng teammates at ng kalaban niya.”
The 6-foot-10 behemoth is expected to play significant minutes moving forward as the Beermen intend to take a 3-1 lead when both teams collide in Game 4 Sunday, January 11.
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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.