June Mar Fajardo

San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo doesn’t mind sporting long hair. But once a salon or barbershop is allowed to reopen, he may consider getting a trim.

“Bagay naman yata. Pero mahaba na din, kaya kung makalabas na at pwede na, baka magpagupit na nga din ako,” Fajardo said yesterday in a phone interview with Manila Bulletin.

That has been the trend for some SMB players since last year as Fajardo’s teammates Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Terrence Romeo and even Matthew Rosser-Ganuelas – with his dreadlocks – are all sporting long hair.

However, his mane – now at shoulder length – is the least of Fajardo’s concern.

The 6-foot-10 main man of San Miguel Beer is working his way back from a fractured right shin he suffered last March 3, five days before the opening of the PBA’s 45th season.

Since last month, Fajardo said he is already working with San Miguel Beer physical therapist Edward Bacason for his conditioning and strengthening, not much on his leg as on his body.

“May mga ginagawa na akong workout pero sa legs hindi pa ganun na kadaming ginagawa kasi 6-7 months and healing period. Pero so far OK naman, wala naman ng pain ako nararamdaman,” said Fajardo, who bagged his sixth straight MVP award early this year.

“Nakakatayo and nakakalakad na din ako ng walang alalay (crutches), although paminsan-minsan ginagamit ko. Pero most of the time wala na din, kaya ko na din naman.”

SMB mentor Leo Austria said that based on x-rays two weeks ago, Fajardo’s leg is healing well.

“That’s the good news we got na magaling na actually, or naghilom na yung ginawang pag-opera sa kanya. Pero siyempre hindi pa din puwedeng biglain kaya unti-unti lang, dahan-dahan lang,” said Austria.

“Ang maganda kay June Mar is in very high spirits siya. Kelan lang nag-Zoom meeting kami and nag-join siya. Kilala naman natin si June Mar na mapagbiro din, so parang walang nangyari na injury sa kanya, masayahin pa din.”

As for Fajardo’s long hair, Austria said he doesn’t mind its length as long as he sees him back in shape.

“Entitled siya kung anong gusto niyang gawin sa buhok niya. Ang sa akin is importante na makabalik siya, gumaling yung injury niya and makasama uli namin siya soon.”