June Mar Fajardo fumbled on six turnovers, nearly a third of San Miguel's total in its Game 1 defeat to Meralco in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup finals on Wednesday, June 5.
June Mar Fajardo was usually the puzzle that teams attempted to solve since he first set foot in the PBA in 2012.
But it was not the case — at least on Wednesday, June 5 — after Meralco made things rough for Fajardo en route to a 93-86 win over San Miguel in Game 1 of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup finals.
Raymond Almazan, Bradon Bates, Kyle Pascual, and Norbert Torres executed the Bolts' defensive plan on the 6-foot-10 Cebuano behemoth, giving him different looks.
[ALSO READ: 'Malaki ang potential': Meralco rookie Brandon Bates on San Miguel main man June Mar Fajardo's radar heading to PBA Finals clash]
Though it did not stop the seven-time Most Valuable Player from churning out 23 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks, he ended up committing six of the Beermen's 19 turnovers.
Fajardo lauded Meralco’s stellar defense that caused trouble for the Beermen.
“Maganda ang depensa nila. Ang dami rin naming turnovers. 'Yun 'yung pinoint out ni coach (Jorge Gallent) kanina,” Fajardo said after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
[ALSO READ: PBA: CJ Perez laments early foul trouble, reversed call on Cliff Hodge in San Miguel's Game 1 loss vs. Meralco]
San Miguel seven-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo tries to shoot the ball against Meralco defenders Cliff Hodge and Raymond Almazan. | Photo (c) RM Chua
The Bolts imposed their defensive might in the second half where it shut down San Miguel's overwhelming arsenal, limiting it to just 35 points in the last 24 minutes of action.
It was the Beermen's lowest output in the second half this conference, according to league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
Fajardo, though, was gracious in defeat, tipping his hat off to Meralco for a job well done in the opener.
[ALSO READ: 'It's just one game': Chris Newsome says more work to be done after Meralco's Game 1 stunner over San Miguel in PBA Finals]
But that does not mean Fajardo and the rest of the Beermen do not seek retribution when the two teams meet again in Game 2 on Friday, June 7.
“Maganda lang talaga ang nilaro ng Meralco. Credit sa Meralco," said Fajardo.
[ALSO READ: 'Forever grateful': Full-circle for San Miguel's Chris Ross as he faces former team Meralco in PBA Philippine Cup Finals]
"Bukas, may practice kami. Papanoorin namin ang videos [of the game], then, bounce back,” he added.
Match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at the same venue.