When Raymond Almazan is on the court, good things happen for Meralco.

That’s why it was understandable that the lanky Bolts center was extra careful in managing his fouls to make sure he can contribute on both ends of the floor.

Almazan had his best game in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals in Game 3, scoring 17 points and grabbing 13 rebounds – six on the offensive end while continuing to put a body on San Miguel Beer main man June Mar Fajardo.

“Iniwasan ko talagang ma-foul trouble today para maging aggressive ako sa offensive rebounds. I can save my foul in the fourth quarter maganda yung kinalabasan pero it was a total team effort,” said Almazan.

The 6-foot-7 center did eventually fouled out but only in the final minutes of the contest.

More than the good offensive night for Almazan, the Bolts center, who also sustained a busted lip in the opening quarter of Game 3, led Meralco’s conscious effort of holding down Fajardo as much as possible.

Fajardo still finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds but he only had five attempts from the field and the Bolts forced him to seven turnovers. 

With Almazan, Cliff Hodge and even Chris Newsome going aggressive in attacking Fajardo’s defense, the seven-time MVP had also to deal with foul trouble all-game long.

“I think wala talaga makakabantay kay June Mar ng 40 minutes in a whole game so sabi ni coach sa amin sa lahat ng bigs namin, if you can play 40 minutes harrd para pagurin si june mar yun yung trabaho namin,” said Almazan.

“This series yun talaga yung kailangan namin na pagurin si June Mar for better chance to win,” he added.