June Mar Fajardo played like a two-time league MVP on the day San Miguel Beer played without an injured AZ Reid against bitter rival Alaska.
The 6-foot-10 Cebuano big man was like a man possessed, particularly in the fourth period, banging 16 points, mostly baskets from point blank to help the Beermen complete a 106-103 come-from-behind win over the Aces.
The 26-year-old Fajardo finished the game with 37 points, his highest individual output since scoring a career-high 43 markers against the same Alaska side last December in the Philippine Cup.
“We prove it to them (doubters) especially mga locals na we can win without an import, that’s why we don’t have to rely on anyone but rely on the team and especially nakita niyo naman si June Mar, lumabas ang tunay na laro niya,” Austria said, in commending the former University of Cebu standout.
Fajardo’s overpowering performance earned him his first Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week citation for the period of Aug. 22-28, beating the likes of Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio, GlobalPort’s high-scoring guard Terrence Romeo and Meralco forward Cliff Hodge.
The 26-year-old SMB slotman, a four-time Best Player of the Conference awardee, currently averages 21.86 points and 12.14 rebounds for the Beermen, who will be shooting for their sixth win this Wednesday against the Meralco Bolts.
