June Mar Fajardo dominated with 24 points and 17 boards, but San Miguel still ceded Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals to TNT.
June Mar Fajardo remained optimistic in the aftermath of San Miguel’s 91-96 loss to TNT in Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals Wednesday, Jan. 21.
The Beermen may be on the losing end in the opener of the best-of-seven series, but Fajardo and Co. will make sure to take their chance the next time it comes.
“Long series 'to. 'Di magiging madaling series 'to para sa’min,” said Fajardo after the heartbreaker at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“May chance pa naman kami. Malayo pa 'yan. So kailangan naming mag-bounce back. Kailangan naming mag-regroup.”
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SMB went down by as many as 19 points in the first half, where everything seemed to click for the Tropang 5G.
Refusing to roll over and die, especially in a series where everything is at stake, the coach Leo Austria-led squad staged a last-gasp coup, but just couldn’t get over the hump.
The nine-time Most Valuable Player found solace in that late rally as the Beermen gear up for Game 2 set Friday, Jan. 23.
"'Yong bigs nila, tumitira sa labas. Ang dami nilang na-shoot na threes and ang laki ng hinabol naming noong first half," said Fajardo.
"Talo kami sa first half pero panalo kami sa second half. Bawi na lang."
[RELATED STORY: Chot far from satisfied as TNT struggles with TOs in PBA Finals Game 1 win vs SMB]
Game 2 tips off at 7:30 p.m. at the same Antipolo venue.
(With reports from Aivan Episcope/One Sports Digital)
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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.