Seeking revenge will not be the main motivation when San Miguel Beer battles Barangay Ginebra in Game 3 of their Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal series today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Beermen star June Mar Fajardo said they want to stay focused on closing out the series that will send them to the best-of-seven finals series against the winner between Magnolia and Phoenix Super LPG in the other semis affair.
The last time the Beermen met the Kings in the semifinals was in the Governors’ Cup last year.
Bannered by prolific import Justin Bronwlee, the Kings made short work of the Beermen, who were then led by Cameron Clark. Ginebra eventually bowed to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the TNT Tropang Giga in the best-of-seven finals series.
But everything is now a thing of the past and Fajardo wants to stay focused on what’s in front of them.
“It’s over and done,” Fajardo told DAILY TRIBUNE. “All we wanted was to get the win and win the series.”
Fajardo was locked in both offensively and defensively.
The 6-foot-10 slotman registered a career-high six blocks on top of 17 points and 14 rebounds, a strong indication of how determined he is in leading the Beermen to their first title since the Philippine Cup two years ago.
“We just really need to work double time on defense. We really wanted to win Game 2 because it’s a crucial game.”
In a series where Best Player of the Conference frontrunner Christian Standhardinger was supposed to dominate, Fajardo stood his ground and continued to be a solid presence despite coming back from a finger injury.
His coach, Jorge Gallent, took notice of his effort.
“He’s a member of the All-Defensive Team, a lot of times, so I’m not surprised. When you see your best player playing his best offensively and defensively, it’s a luxury to coach a team like this,” Gallent said.
Like Fajardo, payback is also far from Gallent’s mind, saying that they will also do their best to wrap up the series regardless of the opposing team.
“All we wanted to do is win,” Gallent said.
“Ginebra swept us last time, but it has never crossed my mind that we would do the same.”
“Revenge is out of the picture. All we care about is winning.”
