June Mar Fajardo ends up as San Miguel's best player in Leo Austria's first game back as head coach.
June Mar Fajardo shone as San Miguel flattened Terrafirma, 106-88, to recover its winning touch in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Friday, Dec. 13.
Fajardo flexed his might with 21 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists, earning him the spot beside returning coach Leo Austria during the post-match press conference as Player of the Game.
The Cebuano behemoth expressed his happiness to have his old mentor back in his former role with the team.
Leo Austria returns as San Miguel's head coach in its match against Terrafirma in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Friday, Dec. 13. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
June Mar Fajardo won nine of his 10 championships with San Miguel in Austria's previous eight-year tenure as head coach.
"Masaya kaming nakabalik si Pops. Sobrang tagal na rin. Pero nandiyan lang naman siya lagi sa team. 'Di naman siya actually nawala. Nandiyan naman siya lagi," said Fajardo of Austria, who served as the team's consultant.
"Masaya kaming nakabalik siya at nakuha namin ang panalo. Sana tuluy-tuloy na," said Fajardo.
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In Austria's first game back as chief tactician, the Beermen was able to check a losing slump after falling to NLEX and Rain or Shine.
San Miguel's lone victory came against Phoenix in its opening match nearly two weeks ago.
The Beermen look to string their first back-to-back wins in the mid-season conference against Blackwater, who, for its part, will aim to follow up on its breakthrough victory against Meralco.
Match is on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.