After dominating the PBA the past six seasons, San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo will be one of the million Filipinos who will follow the PBA restart inside a "bubble" in Clark, Pampanga.
Sidelined because of a shin injury, the reigning six-time PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) shared his thoughts as San Miguel teammates left for Pampanga in time for the Oct. 9 resumption.
“Good luck guys sa Bubble!” said Fajardo in an Instagram post via his IG account @saginghilaw15.
“Di man ako makakasama sa inyo physically pero in spirit andon ako. Sa TV nalang muna ako susuporta at prayers ang maiambag ko sa inyo.Bawi nalang ako next year! Sana walang mainjuries sa inyong lahat at no health issues.”
Two of Fajardo’s teammates responded to his post, 2015 MVP Arwind Santos and Chris Ross.
“Will miss you my big little bro!!!! Magpalakas ka ah!” said Santos via @arwindsotnas.
“Miss you brother!!!” said Ross via @chrismross6.
The 6-foot-10 "main man" of San Miguel Beer is working his way back to recovery after he fractured his right shin during practice last March 3, or five days before the opening of the PBA’s 45th Season.
Since last July, Fajardo said he is already working with the team’s physical therapist (PT) Edward Bacason with his conditioning and strengthening--not just on his leg but his whole body.
Last Saturday on The Chasedown, SMB coach Leo Austria said that Fajardo is expected to start with shooting drills next week – that first time the "gentle giant" will be able to do basketball-related workouts.
“So far maganda ang pinakikita ni June Mar sa kanyang recovery. By next week shooting na siya,” said Austria of his prized center during the weekly sports show on One PH channel over Cignal TV.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo didn’t just wish his teammates well but the other teams, too, and also the PBA officials led by commissioner Willie Marcial.
“Sana di lang sa San Miguel Beermen kundi pati na rin sa ibang Teams at PBA Officials at sa lahat ng mga taong kasama sa loob ng Bubble. Pray lang tayo lagi para sa sucessful na Bubble. God bless sa ting lahat!”