Murphy believes San Miguel will regain form once Fajardo returns

New import Kevin Murphy believes the San Miguel Beermen will regain its lethal form once June Mar Fajardo returns from injury.

Fajardo has missed the team’s first five games in the PBA Governors’ Cup due to an injured right shin but is expected to return during the final stretch of the single-round eliminations.

Murphy, who replaced AZ Reid, made an impressive debut on Sunday as he provided San Miguel some ray of hope despite its 109-108 loss to Magnolia. Murphy scored 37 points in his first game.

Though the Beermen fell to 2-3 after that setback, Murphy remains upbeat of his team’s chances, especially when Fajardo makes his much-awaited return.

“He’s been the MVP for the past four years. Obviously, that’s a big part that we’re missing,” Murphy said.

“But as soon as he comes back, everybody will be showing out and we’ll be like a well-oiled machine,” added the former Utah Jazz cager.

Rookie Christian Standhardinger has somehow picked up the slack for Fajardo, leading all San Miguel locals in scoring with an average of 25.8 points with 10.4 rebounds.

But coach Leo Austria said they need consistency from the other locals, particularly from Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross.

The next three games will be a litmus test for San Miguel. The Beermen battles Alaska on Saturday in Antipolo City, Phoenix on October 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena and TNT KaTropa on October 20 in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Those games could determine whether the Beermen would make it to the top four before Fajardo comes back. —