FAJARDO VOWS TO RISE AGAIN
JUNE MAR FAJARDO is on track in his rehabilitation from a leg injury.
JUNE MAR FAJARDO vowed to rise again next season together with the fallen San Miguel Beermen. Fajardo, the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) six-straight Most Valuable Player—promised to do whatever it takes to bring the five-straight Philippine
Cup champion San Miguel Beer back to the promise land after being eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the Philippine Cup.
“We will do everything to win a championship again,” the 6- foot-10 Fajardo told Businessmirror. “We’re defeated now, but once we’re healthy and complete, we have a strong chance. We can still dominate.”
The Meralco Bolts beat the Beermen twice in the quarterfinals, 71-78 and 68-90, to end their reign in the all-filipino conference.
And Fajardo couldn’t do anything but to watch the disappointing defeats in his huge LED TV in his condominium unit in Mandaluyong City—he is still recovering from a broken right tibia he sustained last February 4 during team practice at the Acropolis gym in Ortigas.
“That’s what it is— of course the other teams want to win too,” Fajardo said.
The Cebuano big man is on in his rehabilitation under the care of Assistant Coach Boycie Zamar and physical therapist Andrew Bulahan.
“Monday, Wednesday and Friday we’re in the basketball court, while Tuesday and Thursday we’re in weights room. Everyday, he has strengthening and therapy,” said Zamar of
Fajardo who just turned 31 last Tuesday.
“I feel better now, I can run and do some contact drills,” said Fajardo, who averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds last season.
Fajardo’s teammate Arwind Santos, meanwhile, disagreed the Beermen exited the Clark bubble because most of them are in the twilight of their careers.
“It’s not about our age, it’s that we aren’t complete because of injuries,” said the 39- year- old former Far Eastern University forward. “If we’re complete and we fail to advance to the semifinals, then maybe they can say that. We can still dominate for two to three years.”