MANILA – June Mar Fajardo could make his conference debut against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and give San Miguel Beermen a huge boost in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup on Saturday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
But if the 6-foot-10 center plays he will have minute restrictions after sitting out for two months due to a stress fracture injury on his right foot, said Beermen head coach Leo Austria.
“Maybe on Saturday, we will give him some time to play but it’s managed minutes,” Austria told the press after the Beermen tallied their third straight win by beating NorthPort Batang Pier 114-107.
“Pero we have to understand his situation kasi until now, hindi niya alam kung ano magiging result. If there is no pain in the next two or three days, he is ready to play,” Austria added.
Austria said he does not want to give the Gilas Pilipinas mainstay lengthy minutes to avoid the aggravation of his injury and reserve his energy in the playoffs.
“Iyong binababad na sinasabi natin, I think he will not get the usual minutes, especially if we are already (assured of a slot) in the quarterfinals,” he said. “Sa ngayon, sa swimming pool lang siya binababad (for his aqua training).”
“The good thing with him (Fajardo), upon learning na he is okay, diretso agad siya, nagbihis, at ginawa na niya ang dapat gawin,” Austria added. “We are not rushing him so that pagdating sa playoffs, 100 percent na siya.”
The Beermen heavily felt Fajardo’s absence when they suffered consecutive losses at the start of the conference. But they slowly gained ground, winning their last three matches for a 5-4 win-loss slate./PN
