Aug 15, 2019

Fajardo willing to sacrifice playing minutes for the good of the team

June Mar Fajardo doesn't mind staying a bit longer on the bench if it means a win for the San Miguel Beermen.

That was the case in Game Five of the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals Wednesday, as Christian Standhardinger logged more minutes in the final frame just so SMB could have somebody to defend TNT KaTropa's Terrence Jones.

Coach Leo Austria's decision paid off nicely as the Filipino-German bruiser limited the former NBA cager to just three points in the said period after scoring 32 markers already across the first three quarters.

Jones being ineffective allowed San Miguel to claw back from 16 down to take home the 99-94 victory.

"Okay lang yun. Ganda-ganda ng dinepensa niya eh. Yun naman yung gameplan namin, siya yung de-depensa kay Terrence Jones. So ayun, nag-work kanina. Thankful kami," said Fajardo, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

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Fajardo cited teammate Arwind Santos as an example of taking a step back for the greater good of the team.

"Oo, okay lang, okay lang. Basta manalo kami, walang problema. Sakripisyo. Si Arwind nga, sinakripisyo niya yung minutes niya para lang mabigyan kami ng mataas na minuto eh," said the league's reigning five-time MVP.

The Beermen are now on the cusp of regaining the title they lost last season to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. For Fajardo, they hope they can replicate the way they contained Jones as they aim to finish the series in Game Six on Friday.

"Sana next game ganun pa rin, ma-contain namin si Terrence Jones. Kahit 'di namin siya ma-stop totally pero ma-minimize lang namin yung scoring niya, yung touches niya. So yun, malaking bagay yun para sa'min."

But he is also aware that it will be easier said than done, as they expect no less than a fightback from their bitter rivals.

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"Ayaw namin ng Game 7, pero alam naman namin na hindi magro-roll over yung Talk 'N Text eh. Gusto nila aabot ng Game 7," he said. "Kami gagawin namin lahat para matapos sa Friday, kahit hindi man ganun kadali pero try namin." (JB)