(PBA image)
June Mar Fajardo moved quickly to calm any lingering concerns from San Miguel fans as the Beermen gear up for another high-stakes Finals run in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Speaking during the PBA Finals Press Conference presented by Arena Plus on Monday at Novotel Cubao, the San Miguel cornerstone said his shoulders — an issue that surfaced late in the playoffs — are steadily improving just in time for the championship series against TNT Tropang 5G.
“Okay naman ’yong shoulders, getting better,” said June Mar Fajardo. “Kailangan maganda sa Finals kasi alam namin na magiging mahirap na Finals ’to para sa amin. Sana makuha namin ’yong championship.”
Fajardo had openly acknowledged playing through pain during the semifinals, where San Miguel Beermen outlasted Barangay Ginebra in six bruising games. Despite battling discomfort in both shoulders, the reigning MVP anchored the Beermen’s steady march back to the Finals with his usual blend of size, skill, and composure.
The injury traces back to San Miguel’s quarterfinal encounter with NLEX, but Fajardo showed little sign of slowing down as the stakes rose, once again underscoring why he remains one of the league’s most dependable postseason performers and a member of the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players.
Now cleared to focus fully on the task ahead, Fajardo and the Beermen shift their attention to another classic showdown with TNT. Game 1 of the Finals tips off Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Center, where San Miguel will begin its bid for yet another all-Filipino crown.