Fajardo needs back-up for SMB victory

SAN Miguel Beer will gun today (Saturday) for a win that is not really that important.

Come again? Not important, Sir. Yes, copy you loud and clear. I know the reason for the unimportance of a San Miguel Beer win: The Beermen have already clinched the twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Philippine Cup. Time to relax. Pull out your Speedos from the drawers. Beach splash beckons. Chill. Fill the icebox with SMBeer. Toss the folding chair in the sand. The Beermen have become so unreachable at the top with their league-leading 7-1 record. The appetite to win may have waned—if only for now.

But, of course, the San Miguel Beer camp won’t admit that.

“There’s a kind of hush” all over PBAlandia. Make that stay, for now, or invite some suspicion that could lead to sanctions.

You see, not playing hard enough is also the league’s mortal enemy, if you know what I mean.

Gamblers abound, still, in the PBA and any hints of hanky-panky can be easily detected by Narvasa’s never-say-die detectives. And so, beware SMB? But I know the Beermen are never the type who would sell their souls to the devil.

Aren’t they the two-time defending champions of the ongoing league? Ego. Pride. Principle.

Thus, in today’s clash with Global Port, the Beermen are being challenged to deliver. An unpalatable win shouldn’t spoil the broth: Delectable triumph. Behind the lethal lane-lacerations of the Romeo-Pringle duo, the Batang Pier will prove dangerous.

June Mar Fajardo would easily become the center of attraction today, if only because fate had made it that way today.

The 6-foot-10, three-time MVP, will play before his fellow Cebuanos for the first time since becoming a Beerman four years ago.

If only for that, Fajardo cannot afford to play half-heartedly or face torture-harsh hazing from his folk.

In fact, Fajardo must play at the top of his game like all demigods coming home for an encore.

And, rightfully, his inspired game should rub on his teammates. Anyone among them coming up with a lethargic show ought to be banished to Nowhere Land—there to rot. Fajardo deserves ample backing a la Elvis Presley having the Hurricanes by his side, if not a la Digong enjoying the full backing of his Cabinet. Swell.

You see, not playing hard enough is also the league’s mortal enemy, if you know what I mean. Gamblers abound, still, in the PBA and any hints of hanky-panky can be easily detected by Narvasa’s never-say-die detectives