San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo and Rain or Shine's Beau Belga will meet on the court anew when Game Two of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinals unfurls on Sunday, May 19.
June Mar Fajardo did not have any problems dominating the paint in San Miguel’s 101-98 win over Rain or Shine in the opener of their best-of-seven semis tussle in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup Friday, May 17.
Fajardo posted his 12th double-double of the conference and 23rd of the season, churning out 23 points and 11 rebounds against the Elasto Painters.
But while offense is a given, Fajardo admitted struggling defensively especially against Rain or Shine veteran Beau Belga.
Beau Belga versus June Mar Fajardo | Photo (c) PBA
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That is because he had to extend to the three-point area just to stop Belga, who is a 6-foot-5 cerebral bruiser who can pretty much do everything.
Belga finished with 17 points on a 4-for-8 shooting from deep. He also had six rebounds and four assists.
“Mahirap (i-limit) kasi tumitira talaga si Beau. Sobrang taas ng percentage niya sa three points kaya kailangan kong i-extend ang depensa ko,” said the seven-time Most Valuable Player, who also registered five assists, three blocks and one steal.
“Pag i-extend naman ang depensa ko, mahihirapan kami kasi walang rebound. Doon naman, ang mga teammates ko, tinutulungan nila ako so thankful ako sa kanila.”
June Mar Fajardo against another Rain or Shine big man, Keith Datu | Photo (c) PBA
[ALSO READ: PBA: ‘Well-coached’ Rain or Shine deserves to be in semifinals, says San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent]
Beermen coach Jorge Gallent agreed, adding they had to devise a plan to get Belga and the other big men in foul trouble.
How? Through San Miguel main man Fajardo, of course.
“Thats why we want the ball to June Mar so he (Belga) gets into foul trouble [and] coach Yeng (Guiao) will have to bring him out of the game," said Gallent.
In the end, Fajardo rose above his struggle as the Beermen gained the headstart in the race-to-four duel.
Now, Fajardo has to continue doing what he does best and leave the rest to Gallent and the coaching staff as they aim to make it two in a row on Sunday, May 19, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Gametime is at 6:15 p.m.