By NIKOLE JAVIER
Not over until it’s over for defending champion San Miguel.
The Beermen have taken turns with the Meralco Bolts in the best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup finals series but are yet to gain the lead for themselves as they fell 2-3 following a 92-88 Game 5 defeat on Friday night, June 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
June Mar Fajardo was nothing short of stellar after turning in a game-high 38-point, 18-rebound double-double performance in the sorry loss.
Though the numbers were high and efficient after going 14-of-17 from the field and 10 points coming from the foul line, the 10-time Best Player of the Conference had to work hard for every single shot he made inside the paint to complete another monstrous output.
Being down in the Finals series was not unfamiliar territory for San Miguel especially that they have shown the ability to come back and win it all in the past.
If anything, it’s on the Beermen to wrap up loose ends – something that they do very well and which Fajardo is hoping to accomplish yet again.
“Sana mangyari rin ‘yan [we can come back from a series]. Pagsisipagan namin ‘yung next game kasi gusto namin makuha ‘yung championship. Hindi namin basta basta ibibigay ‘yun,” Fajardo said.
“Same sa mga previous namin na talo. Pag mababa assists namin, natatalo kami. ‘Yun ‘yung [pino-point out] ni coach [Jorge Gallent]. Hindi lang namin na-shoot ‘yung mga usual shots namin. Nagmintis. Pero ganun talaga. Kinagandahan nito may chance pa naman,” he added.
Apart from Fajardo, the only red shirt in double figures was CJ Perez, who had a double-double showing of his own with 17 points on top of 10 rebounds, while the Meralco rotation evened out its contribution to regain the series lead.
As both squads have yet to lose back-to-back games, San Miguel is refusing to easily hand the trophy to Meralco without putting its trademark basketball that has won it multiple championships.
“Hindi pa naman kami out. ‘Yun ‘yung pinaghandaan ko, so may chance kaming makabawi. At babawi kami next game.”
