JuneMar Fajardo aims for early ending

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA’s most dominant player JuneMar Fajardo is hoping the Philippine Cup Finals ends sooner than later and with San Miguel Beer a win away from wrapping up the best-of-7 series against Magnolia, the Kraken is going all out for the closer in Game 5 at the MOA Arena tonight.

Fajardo, 28, is in his seventh Finals appearance with five titles under his belt. He was the runaway choice as Best Player of this conference, his sixth award, and there’s nobody in the horizon to challenge his stranglehold on the MVP trophy. Fajardo is the reigning back-to-back-to-back-to-back MVP.

“Challenge para sa amin na Magnolia ang nakalaban namin sa Finals,” said Fajardo. “Mindset namin na dapat matapos agad ang series pero alam namin ‘di ganoon kadali maipanalo ‘yon kaya kailangan namin maging ready at ibigay yung best namin every game.”

The Hotshots drew first blood, coming from 20 points down to win Game 1, 105-103, but San Miguel stormed back to win the next three contests, 92-77 in Game 2, 111-87 in Game 3 and 84-80 in Game 3. Another win by San Miguel tonight will clinch the crown, 4-1. For Magnolia, it’s a daunting task to beat the Beermen three in a row but that’s the only way for the Hotshots to salvage the title. It will be do-or-die for Magnolia tonight and if the Hotshots survive, Game 6 will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

Fajardo said coach Leo Austria’s adjustment to deepen his rotation from the Game 1 loss has turned things around for San Miguel. “Masaya kami sa adjustments ni coach Leo kasi nabibigyan ng maraming minutes yung bench at the same time nagkakakompyansa yung bench namin so malaking tulong ‘yon para sa first group,” he said.

In Game 4 last Wednesday, San Miguel’s bench produced only six points but Austria’s extended rotation preserved his starters for the knockout blow down the stretch. Championship experience was evident as the Beermen were composed while the Hotshots collapsed with the outcome on the line. Fajardo didn’t score in the fourth period but located Matt Ganuelas-Rosser twice for easy layups off a double team and controlled the boards to hold off Magnolia.

San Miguel team manager Gee Abanilla said the Beermen can’t relax against Magnolia even if they’re a win shy of clinching. “We know our job is far from over because we’re up against a tough Magnolia team with a never-quit attitude but I’m confident our coaching staff has covered all the bases necessary to make our dream of winning another championship a reality,” he said.

Abanilla credited Austria for staking San Miguel to a 3-1 series lead. “Coach Leo has done a great job of deepening our rotation which may be crucial in a series versus a very strong Magnolia team,” he said. “I’m really glad that a lot of our bench players have earned the nod of our head coach and responded well the past few games though we are all still hoping for some consistency in our performance. We are all bracing for a tough Magnolia comeback but we are also confident that we could stand our ground if we play together and with a purpose.”