‘Hindi pa naman kami out’: Fajardo vows to bounce back in Game 6

San Miguel center June Mar Fajardo in action in Game 5 of the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals on June 14, 2024. PBA Images

MANILA – It’s not yet over until it’s over.

This is the mantra of San Miguel superstar June Mar Fajardo ahead of Game 6 of the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Fajardo tallied a game-high 38 points and 18 rebounds on Friday, but it wasn’t enough as the Beermen took an 88-92 loss against the Chris Newsome-led Meralco Bolts at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The league’s seven-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) refused to give up as he vowed to bounce back tomorrow.

 

“Sabi nga namin, long series ‘to. Hindi pa naman kami out. ‘Yun ‘yung kinagandahan doon. May chance kaming makabawi,” Fajardo told reporters after the match.

The pride of Cebu, who was visually tired after his 38-point showing, said everyone in the Beermen nest struggled, not just “kuya” CJ Perez and asserted that they would win together as a team.

Perez was the only other San Miguel player in twin-digit scoring with 17 but on only 4-of-16 field goals made.

“Hindi lang naman si kuya CJ [Perez] ‘yung nag-struggle, kaming lahat nag-struggle. Talo kami as a team, mananalo kami as a team, matatalo kami as a team, so ‘yun,” the Best Player of the Conference said.

 

Despite going down 2-3 in the best-of-seven series, the 6-foot-10 center said their goal remains the same—the PBA title.

“Sisipagan namin ‘yung next game kasi gusto naming makuha ‘yung championship eh. Hindi namin basta-basta ibibigay ‘yon.”

 

Fajardo and the rest of the Beermen have an opportunity to even the series once more on Sunday at the same Cubao venue.

Tip-off is at 6:15 p.m.

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