BY WAYLON GALVEZ
The PBA shutdown due to coronavirus pandemic has somehow benefited San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo.
Though locked down at his condo, the 6-foot-10 Fajardo has all the time to do his strengthening exercises on his injured right shin.
Fajardo fractured his right shin during the team’s practice last March 3, and had operation the following day.
When he received his sixth consecutive MVP award last March 8, he was on a mobility scooter. Fajardo said the cast has been removed recently and he now tries to walk without any support.
“Nakakalakad na ako ng walang saklay, pero dahan dahan lang. Since bahay lang, dito-dito lang ako sa loob,” said Fajardo, who currently stays in his condominium unit in Pasig City.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo said he was supposed to undergo therapy sessions in a rehabilitation center, but since almost all establishments are closed because of the the Enhanced Community Quarantine – it has been extended to May 15 – his therapist has given him several exercises to do to gain more strength on his leg.
Part of the leg training he does is to build up on quads, calf muscles, gluts and hamstring.
“Kapag naman nage-exercise ako nakaupo lang, hindi pa naman kasi masyado mabibigat yung mga puwede kong gawin kasi hindi pwede puwersahin,” Fajardo said in a phone interview.
Fajardo said he also spends his time watching movies, or playing online games against Gilas Pilipinas teammates Marc Pingris and Japeth Aguilar, although he spends more time resting.
Food and other things he needs, according to Fajardo, is not a problem this lockdown period, since his parents bought plenty of stocks before they left.
“Kasi nga injured ako, lahat na ng pagkain at mga kailangan ko binili na nila. Wala pang lockdown ang dami ko ng pagkain, kaya nung nag-ECQ, sakto may pagkain na kami dito,” said Fajardo, who has his college buddy Charles Abais accompany him in his condo.
“Kung may kailangan naman kami, may store sa baba (of the condo) so hindi na masyadong lalayo.”
Fajardo said his prayer is for the health crisis to be over, considering that millions of lives perished, and that everything goes back to normal, including the PBA games, which he misses.
“Siyempre nakakalungkot kung iisipin kasi di na natin nagagawa yung mga normal na bagay dahil sa COVID-19, dahil sa lockdown na kailangan naman para hindi na ito kumalat,” he said.
“Tignan na lang natin on a positive side, marami sa atin kasama ang family, so nakaka-spend tayo ng time with them. Huwag na lang tignan sa negative. Siguro naman malalampasan natin ito.”
