June Mar Fajardo hurt his knee and left the floor, but still posted a double-double output in San Miguel’s Game 5 win over TNT in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.
June Mar Fajardo shrugged off a right knee contusion he suffered in San Miguel's eventual 96-82 win over TNT in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals Friday night, Jan. 30.
The incident happened at the 6:28 mark of the third period, when Fajardo tripped over teammate Rodney Brondial, causing him to fall on his knees.
The 13-time Best Player of the Conference stayed on the floor, clutching both knees and grimacing in pain before getting subbed out.
While he felt that his injury was not as serious as initially feared, Fajardo said it would be assessed Saturday, Jan. 31.
“OK na. Natulak ako tapos bumagsak ang tuhod ko. I-a-assess pa ako,” Fajardo said after the match at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“Nakainom na rin naman ako ng painkiller at anti-inflammatory. Hopefully, hindi mamaga.”
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The 6-foot-10 behemoth returned halfway through the fourth period to help prevent a TNT comeback and get a feel for his knee.
He was able to finish the game, contributing 14 points and 11 rebounds.
“Gusto ko ring i-try para matingnan ko kung kaya kong maglaro. Kaya naman basta't magpahinga lang siguro at saka therapy lang ako,” Fajardo said.
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San Miguel goes for the jugular against TNT in Game 6 at the MOA Arena in Pasay Sunday, Feb. 1.
Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/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.