June Mar Fajardo is quickly becoming the PBA’s most dominant inside player.
The 25-year old center from Compostela (Cebu) is living up to expectations of being selected with the #1 overall pick in the 2012 PBA draft.
Playing for the San Miguel, June Mar was unstoppable during critical games against Tropang. There’s not many players with the length and strength to contest the 6-9 Fajardo, so the young pivot faces regular double teams from opponents.
Discuss the PBA playoffs in our Philippines Basketball Forum
In spite of the defense, Fajardo recorded 28 points, 16 rebounds (as well as 5 assists and 2 blocks) and 18 points and 9 rebounds as the Beermen swept the Tropang Texters 4-0. For his efforts, Fajardo averaged 23 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in San Miguel’s the final two games of the series and was honored with his second Accel-PBA Player of the Week for December 23-28.
With the Beermen’s first ever series sweep, they move on to the PBA Finals; their 34th appearance in the championship round (which is the most ever for a franchise in PBA history). San Miguel is gunning for their 20th league championship.
They are awaiting the results of the Rain or Shine-Alaska semifinal series who will determine their opponent.