June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel enrich legacy with PH Cup title defense

MANILA, Philippines – June Mar Fajardo had no plans playing a do-or-die Game 7.

And it showed in his play as Fajardo keyed San Miguel to a successful defense of its Philippine Cup crown with monstrous showing in a 92-77 win over TNT in Game 6 of the best-of-seven title series at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, February 1.

The 6-foot-10 big man produced 29 points, 23 rebounds, and 2 steals in the championship clincher, allowing the Beermen to replicate their six-game conquest of the Tropang 5G in the All-Filipino finals last season. 

“We needed to win. We needed to be assertive. I saw how determined my teammates were to win, so as one of the team leaders, I had to show that I’m the same, that I also want to win,” said Fajardo in Filipino.

His desire to close TNT out translated into a gem of a performance as Fajardo recorded his only 20-20 game of the finals. 

Fajardo wrapped up the series with averages of 19.7 points, 18.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 block to earn the Finals MVP plum now named after league icon Ramon Fernandez, who came to town from Cebu to present the golden trophy that features his signature “elegant shot.” 

In what felt like a passing of the torch between two of the greatest PBA players of all time, Fernandez, 72, handed the hardware to 36-year-old Fajardo, who won Finals MVP for a record fifth time to break his previous tie with LA Tenorio, James Yap, and Danny Seigle. 

Fajardo said he and his teammates bear the responsibility of keeping the winning tradition for the storied franchise, of which Fernandez is a huge part, with “El Presidente” winning 7 of his record 19 championships with San Miguel. 

“We all know the culture and winning ways of San Miguel. Even before we got here at San Miguel, we already knew its legacy. We’re here to continue the winning ways of San Miguel, to represent San Miguel,” said Fajardo, who captured his 12th title with the team. 

But it was not just Fajardo who rose to the occasion for the Beermen. 

CJ Perez delivered 19 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds, Rodney Brondial netted a double-double for the second straight game with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter chimed in 13 points off a 3-of-5 clip from three-point land.

Veteran guard Chris Ross also shone with 9 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and most importantly, his stifling defense on Tropang 5G star Calvin Oftana, who almost singlehandedly brought TNT back into the game despite a sizzling 26-5 start by San Miguel. 

Oftana erupted for 28 points through the first three quarters as the Tropang 5G narrowed the gap to 68-70 but went scoreless in the final period, having found no answers to Ross’ suffocating defense.

“From start to finish, they showed the character of the team,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria. “The composure of the players prevailed because of their experience, especially in this situation — a championship game.” 

San Miguel won the All-Filipino crown for a record-extending 12th time and claimed its 31st title overall. – Rappler.com