Five-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo has suffered a Paul George-like injury and San Miguel Corp. officials wish him to be pretty much like Paul George, too, when he eventually returns to action.
As Fajardo takes the long road to recovery from his fractured shin, SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua said the franchise is giving the gentle giant all the support and the time he would need to fully recuperate and make a George-esque comeback.
"Lahat ng oras na pwedeng ipagpahinga ni June Mar bibigay namin. Kapag 110 percent na siya, that's the time he can practice - not play ha," said Chua.
"Si June Mar ibang klaseng tao, napakabait, napakagalang, noong na-injured siya parang siya pa ang nahihiya na na-injured siya, gustong makatulong sa San Miguel at sa National team. Sobra-sobra na naitulong mo, sabi ko, magpahinga ka muna para pagbalik mo, mas malakas pa.
"Sino bang na-injured sa NBA na ganon? Si Paul George. Nung bumalik (from injury), eh gumaling pa, di ba? So sabi ko kay June Mar, relax lang siya, enjoy itong pahinga, kailangan ng katawan niya ng pahinga," he said.
Sponsored content: NBA star George sustained a compound fracture on both bones in his lower right leg during training with the US National team in Aug. 2014 and played his first game back for Indiana Pacers in April the following year. In his first full season (2015-16) back from injury, George posted higher averages of 23.1 points and seven rebounds and in 2018-19 season with Oklahoma, he was good for 28 markers, 8.2 boards and 4.1 assists.
Fajardo's sidelining left a huge hole in the mean machine that is SMB. Backup Mo Tautuaa has been pushed front and center as the Beermen gun for a six peat in the Philippine Cup with Billy Mamaril and Russel Escoto also given bigger challenges.
"This year, ito ang pinakamabigat. Normally nami-miss namin si June Mar 1-3 days, one week. I don't think he can come back second conference or even third conference kasi matindi yung injury nya, parang Paul George," said SMB governor Robert Non.
"So talagang kailangang mag step up. Meron kaming adjustments because of the absence of June Mar pababa ng third conference and hopefully Mo Tautuaa can fill up the big shoes left by June Mar," he added.
Chua said it's interesting to see how coach Leo Austria and his staff will deal with Fajardo's absence.
Sponsored content: "I want to see what the adjustments na gagawin ng coaches ng San Miguel na wala si June Mar. Parang tayong mga Filipino kumakain ng kanin; ngayon nawalan sila ng kanin. Let's see how they're gonna adjust. Yun ang gusto ko makita," said the SMC exec.(OL)
