By Al S. Mendoza

 

SAN Miguel Beer has been the favorite clubhouse talk in Philippine basketball for quite some time now.

That’s understandable.

For one, the team that has been the lone remnant of the roster of gallant founders of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in 1975, including the now-disbanded Crispa and Toyota, has found itself precariously near the cellar of the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

For another, its main man is down with a major injury, a concern that had genuinely put in jeopardy San Miguel’s title-retention bid of the season’s second conference.

When the league’s 47th year blasted off with pomp and gaiety after a pandemic-ravaged two-year struggle, San Miguel was the hands-on choice to dominate the league yet again.

That’s because June Mar Fajardo, the team’s cornerstone for a decade or so now, is back after suffering a leg injury that sidelined him for almost two years from March 2020.

The 6-foot-10 Fajardo, from Pinamungahan, Cebu, took the freak accident while laying up during practice just weeks after San Miguel won the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

So, from 2020 to 2021, Fajardo was in sick bay, returning to action only this year—but with a vengeance.

He powered the Beermen to a rousing victory in the season’s first conference: the Philippine Cup aka All-Filipino.

He capped his spectacular comeback by crowning himself the Finals’ Most Valuable Player.

But just when he was all set to spearhead San Miguel’s aim to win back-to-back, Fajardo got elbowed in the throat by Rain or Shine import Steve Taylor Jr.

The impact was such that it tore a cartilage, necessitating a surgery that will bar Fajardo from playing at least six weeks at the maximum.

Fajardo’s bravery came to the fore when he got elbowed.

Despite the nagging pain and blood squirting from his throat a bit, he continued playing.

He got hit a second time on the same spot by Rain or Shine guard Glenn Mamuyac and still, he played on, enduring pain and everything.

At one point, he felt he had lost his voice.

He was taken to the hospital right after San Miguel’s victory over Rain or Shine.  There, x-rays revealed a damaged throat.

But thank God his medical procedure was a success and all Fajardo needs now is a complete rest.

Not much movement.  Not much talking.  Not much eating.

San Miguel’s woes did not end with Fajardo’s career-threatening injury.

The team’s first two imports were flops.

Thomas Robinson was not in tip-top shape and was injured minutes into his first practice with San Miguel.  He was promptly sent home.

Diamond Stone, the second import, was a natural forward and, therefore, totally unfit to take Fajardo’s delicate position as center.  Like Robinson, Stone was axed.

There is potential in Devon Scott, who came up with back-to-back double-double efforts in two of his last three games that gave San Miguel victories over NLEX and NorthPort.

And with a 3-3, win-loss record, the Beermen seem to be on their way to recovery?

Only time will tell.

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