Reigning back-to-back MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer has ruled out playing in tomorrow’s Game 3 of the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup finals against Alaska in Lucena City.
If there is any possibility, the 6-10 center is looking at Game 4 on Sunday.
“Bukas na yung Game 3 e, kaso medyo maga pa yung tuhod,” said Fajardo as he visited the team’s practice session yesterday ay the Acropolis gym in Quezon City.
“Siguro Game 4 Sunday. Mawala lang yung maga,” said Fajardo, wearing a knee support to protect the injury when he dropped by at the venue accompanied by girlfriend Aerieal Patnongon.
Fajardo said he watched the first two games of the series on TV, and felt sorry for the Beermen that he wasn’t there to help the team against the Aces – now up 2-0 in the best-of-seven title series.
“Nakakalungkot na wala ako magawa… pero kaya naman nila. Malaki tiwala ko kayang kaya pa yan na manalo. Dikit lang naman yung first two games, breaks of the game lang talaga sa huli,” said Fajardo.
The native of Cebu injured his left knee in Game 6 of the semifinals series against Rain or Shine last Friday.
The result of Fajardo’s MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) showed no tear on both his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), but what keeps him away from playing is the swelling on the left knee.
There is good sign, Fajardo said, why he’s optimistic that he may still play in the finals.
“Nagagalaw ko na naman ng maayos yung tuhod ko e, talagang yung swelling na lang. Hindi kagaya before na hindi ko maigalaw. Sana… sana maka-laro ako, gusto ko talagang lumaro e,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo injured his left knee when a smaller RoS defender in 6-2 Jireh Ibañes opted to box out the Beermen ‘gentle giant’ at the low post. Fajardo wasn’t expecting the hit, causing him to fall and twist his left knee in the third quarter.