JUNE Mar Fajardo is picking up from where he left off — his latest Most Valuable Player season — as San Miguel Beer took a share of the lead pack after the first week of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Fajardo, 34, powered the Beermen to two victories in the group stage of the season-opening conference, his performance earning him the nod as the season’s first PBA Press Corps Player of the Week.
NLEX’s Robert Bolick, TNT’s Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana and Poy Erram and Rain or Shine rookies Felix Lemetti and Caelan Tiongson also emerged as candidates for the weekly honor being given by men and women scribes covering the PBA beat.
It’s the 13th time the eight-time MVP got the Press Corps citation in his 12-year career.
“Bagong conference, bagong season, pero same goal pa rin which is makalaro sa Finals at makakuha sana ng championship,” said Fajardo, who hopes to bring San Miguel back to the winner’s circle after the team lost to Meralco in the last Philippine Cup Finals.
The gentle giant averaged 25.0 points on 71-percent shooting on top of 17.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 blocks in two games from Aug. 18 to 25 that saw San Miguel beat Phoenix and Blackwater for a share of the early lead in Group B.
He opened the campaign with 37 points, 24 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks as the Beermen overcame the Fuel Masters 111-107 last Aug. 21 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Against Blackwater four days later, Fajardo tallied 13 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks, but played more of a supporting role with import Jordan Adams firing 50 as San Miguel overcame a first-half deficit and won 128-108.
