JUNE Mar Fajardo expects to be at his old lethal form when the PBA kicks off its season, most probably by early next month.
That is if the six-time MVP could finally shake off one nagging stumbling block.
“Sa totoo lang, hanggang sa ngayon, mentally medyo naiilang pa ako,” San Miguel Beer’s prized center told a 2OT podcast over the last weekend.
“Gusto kong mag-all out… pero may mga moves na parang nag-dadalawang-isip ako,” added Fajardo. “I mean, nag-aalangan pa ako so hinay-hinay lang. Ayaw kong madaliin.”
There is a valid reason for Fajardo taking that cautious route.
He suffered a fractured shin bone during a solo fastbreak in practice February of last year, forcing him to sit out the entire season.
The 6-foot-10 behemoth has made steady progress since, even joining the rest of the Beermen in their practices in Batangas. There was even a league-released short video showing him doing post drills.
Fajardo sure took a lot of time getting there.
“First two days ng practice, grabe ‘yung soreness,” related the 31-year-old.
“So far maganda naman ‘yung tinatakbo ng conditioning ko,” added Fajardo. “Ginagawa namin nu’ng PT namin ‘yung mga dapat kong gawin para ma-kundisyon ako. So far, wala nang masakit sa injury ko, ‘yun ‘yung maganda.”
More needs to be done, however, but the good thing is Fajardo has enough time.
“Marami kaming ginagawa na mga footwork drills ng PT namin para makuha ko ulit ‘yung kumpiyansa ko. So far maganda naman ‘yung movements ko, so sana tuluy-tuloy. May one month pa naman ako para mag-prepare,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo expects to be in full game-shape before the Philippine Cup kicks off the season and he remains blessed and grateful for getting another opportunity to play after the unfortunate injury.
“Masaya ako, lagi ko ipinapasalamat kay God na binigyan ulit ako ng chance na makalaro ng basketball,” said Fajardo.
“Kasi nga, nakakatakot ‘yung nangyari sa akin. Binigyan Niya ako ng second chance na makabalik. Kaya gagawin ko ‘yung best ko para makabalik sa old form, or mas mataasan ko pa ‘yung kung ano ‘yung nilaro ko before.”
