(PBA image)
It may be a rematch of last season’s PBA Philippine Cup finals, but for June Mar Fajardo, the coming showdown between San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang 5G is no longer about unfinished business or revenge.
As the two multi-titled franchises collide once more for the All-Filipino crown beginning January 21, Fajardo is treating the series as a clean slate—another chapter in a rivalry that has already produced plenty of history.
“Wala na ’yun. Ibang series na ito,” the nine-time MVP said, brushing aside talk of a grudge match after San Miguel denied TNT a rare grand slam last year.
The Beermen spoiled the Tropang 5G’s historic bid by winning the 2025 Philippine Cup finals in six games, a result that naturally put TNT in a payback mindset. But for Fajardo, dwelling on the past offers no advantage heading into what he expects to be a demanding title duel.
San Miguel booked the rematch Friday night after dispatching Barangay Ginebra Kings, 101–88, in the decisive Game 6 of their semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. TNT had earlier punched its ticket to the finals by wrapping up its own semifinal series against the Meralco Bolts in five games.
Despite holding the psychological edge from last year’s finals, Fajardo knows the Tropang 5G bring a different kind of challenge this time around—one that demands constant adjustments.
“Alam namin mahirap kalaban yung TNT. Mabilis sila, tapos on point yung outside shooting nila,” said Fajardo, the frontrunner for Best Player of the Conference honors. “Gagawin namin yung best namin at titingnan namin kung ano ang puwedeng ibato sa series na ito.”
San Miguel leaned heavily on Fajardo’s presence inside during its six-game grind against Ginebra, where he averaged 14.6 points and a conference-best 19.0 rebounds. Even when limited to just four points in the series-clinching win, his rebounding and interior defense anchored the Beermen’s composure in closing time.
Now, with the Philippine Cup trophy once again on the line, the league’s most dominant big man insists the only thing that matters is what unfolds next—not what already happened.
Same opponents. Same stakes. But as far as Fajardo is concerned, it’s a brand-new ballgame.
