June Mar Fajardo was paying attention as Brandon Bates held his own against Ginebra’s twin towers Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semis.
San Miguel main man June Mar Fajardo has had Meralco rookie Brandon Bates on his radar recently.
Fajardo was left impressed with the way the newbie had fared in the Bolts’ conquest of Ginebra in their semifinal duel in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup that went the distance.
Bates made his presence felt on both ends of the floor in the said series against their playoff rivals, holding his own against the likes of Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar.
Meralco's Brandon Bates and Chris Newsome battle for possession against Japeth Aguilar of Ginebra during their semifinal battle. | Photo (c) PBA
But the 6-foot-9 bruiser played his best game in the 78-69 Game Seven decision on Friday, May 31, where he slapped six blocks and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Bolts punched their first-ever ticket to the All-Filipino conference finals.
Fajardo, whose team had a lengthy break due to its quick sweep of foe Rain or Shine in their side of the semis, took notice.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Idle San Miguel hopes to shake off rust as it tangles with PH Cup first-time finalist Meralco in 'great series’]
“Ang ganda ng nilalaro ni Brandon lalo na noong Game Seven nila. 'Di ba, may six blocks siya? Malaki ang potential noong bata. Lagi siyang go hard. 'Yun ang kagandahan sa kaniya,” said Fajardo during the finals press conference at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Brandon Bates reminds Meralco coach Luigi Trillo of former Alaska player]
Now the two are bound to gauge each other a little better when the Beermen and the Bolts collide in Game One of the best-of-seven series on Wednesday, June 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo goes for a basket against his Rain or Shine defenders during Game Four of their semis encounter last May 24. | Photo (c) PBA
The seven-time Most Valuable Player admitted he is going to have his hands full against the energetic Meralco big.
But as always, the 6-foot-10 behemoth from Pinamungahan, Cebu is embracing the challenge.
“Gagawin ko 'yung best ko. Tutulungan ko 'yung team kong manalo,” he said.