IT'S a common knowledge that PBA legend Danny Ildefonso mentored June Mar Fajardo for a time.
It's during Fajardo's early days with the San Miguel Beermen - the tail end of Ildefonso's era as SMB main man.
But it turned out the mentorship began earlier than that - as early as when Fajardo was still a gangling, fumbling center at University of Cebu.
"Noong nasa Cebu pa si June Mar," said Ildefonso during the PBA Kamustahan podcast Saturday night.
Then the finest shaded lane operator with two PBA MVP trophies under his belt, Ildefonso instilled on Fajardo's mind that at 6-foot-10, he would earn big paychecks getting the ball at the post.
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"Bakit ka ba naglalaro ng basketbol? Para matulungan ang pamilya ko, kuya. Eh yun pala eh, doon ka (at the shaded lane); nandoon ang pera," said Ildefonso, recalling his conversation with a young Fajardo in a tune-up game in Cebu then arranged by Fajardo's fellow Cebuano and UC player Dondon Hontiveros.
"Doon pa lang tinuturuan ko na si June Mar. Kasi pag bumababa siya, ang layo nang tanggap niya sa bola, parang nasa three-point area, hindi sa shaded lane. Sabi ko sa kanya hindi ka yayaman diyan, 6-9 o 6-10 ka eh," Ildefonso added.
"Alam mo kung nasaan ang pera? Nandoon sa shaded lane. P150,000 lang sweldo mo dito (receiving the ball from way out), doon (in the shaded lane) P500,000, maximum."
The mentorship between the SMB great and the future six-time PBA MVP would become regular when Fajardo eventually joined the PBA as the first overall draft selection by the Petron Blaze Boosters (now the Beermen) in 2012.
"Napakasarap turuan ni June Mar, unlike other players. Siya talagang open na gustong matuto," said Ildefonso.
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In no time, Fajardo learned the tricks which ironically hastened the exit of Ildefonso. (SB)
