MANILA – The absence of center June Mar Fajardo has all the more fueled the San Miguel Beermen’s desire to clinch its sixth consecutive PBA Philippine Cup crown.
The new season kicks off on March 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Beermen head coach Leo Austria said his players responded positively in practices since the five-time PBA MVP awardee went down with a complete fracture on his right tibia during the team’s practice on Monday.
“Noong umpisa medyo mababa ang morale pero in next few hours tumaas ulit. Medyo na-inspire sila, parang ‘Let’s do this for June Mar’. He helped us a lot in winning the (previous) championship,” said Austria.
“It’s really hard for us because in the past five years cornerstone si June Mar, he helped us a lot in winning championships. Pero gaya ng sinabi ko sa team, San Miguel is not June Mar and everybody must step up,” he added.
With the Beermen’s frontline not that potent with the injury of Fajardo, trading away of Christian Standhardinger and Kelly Nabong and retirement of Yancy de Ocampo, it is left with Moala Tautuaa and veteran Billy Mamaril to fill the void.
“I think Tautuaa is one big man na pwedeng pumalit sa role but alam naman natin na napakalaki ng role ni June Mar and Mo needs the help and support of the team,” said Austria.
He added: “Mo has started to step up, maganda naman ang response niya and he’s trying his best to help the team. And the good thing is everybody is willing to help. June Mar is June Mar, nobody can really fill in his position, so it will take a collective effort.”
Austria also said the Beermen are currently shopping around for a slotman either via trade or through free agency to complement its depleted frontline.
“Kung may makukuha kami. Right now, we’re trying to figure it out, maghanap kung sinong pwedeng pang-backup,” he said./PN
