SAN Miguel Beer will have its built-in motivation when it comes to the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup, with the Beermen aching to reclaim the crown they lost last year.
The team now has an additional and perhaps even more overpowering spur — helping a beloved teammate get over a recent tragedy that befell him.
“Sinasabi ko sa mga teammates ko, ‘Para narin kay June Mar. Mahiya kayo paghindi kayo nag-effort dito,’” SMB stalwart Arwind Santos told Malaya-Business Insight.
“Sana, matupad,” added Santos. “Sabi ko, ‘Kailangan mapasaya man lang natin si June Mar kasi… mahirap naming malungkot na siya sa magulang niya, bigo pa tayo dito.’”
Santos was referring to the passing of Fajardo’s mother, Marites, in Cebu two weeks ago.
Due to lockdown enforced in Metro Manila, which prohibits long-distance travel, the self-confessed “Mama’s Boy” failed to attend his mother’s funeral.
Fajardo, however, accompanied his teammates when they checked in at the Quest Hotel in Clark last Monday afternoon, a decision that Santos said is the right one for the six-time MVP.
“Tama ‘yung desisyon niya na sumama, kasi malulungkot lang siya. Niyakap ko nga kanina, nakangiti kaagad,” related Santos, who himself lost his own mother in 2016.
“Ganoon naman tayo. Pag wala kang kaibigan diyan, mag-isa ka lang sa kuwarto mo, lahat ng mga kalungkutan maiisip mo talaga,” added Santos. “Pero kung nandiyan mga teammates mo, lahat makukulit iyan, siyempre malilibang ka.”
At least in Santos’ initial assessment, their prized center seems to be getting over his grief.
“Nakakangiti na siya. Kanina nga, itinulak pa ako, sabay binigyan ng isa (siko). Nakakatuwa,” he said.
Santos also believes Fajardo is aware of what his teammates are doing to cheer him up.
“Nararamdaman naman niya suporta ng lahat ng teammates niya,” related the 40-year-old, himself a former MVP in 2013.”Kasi alam naman niya na lahat kami mahal naming siya. Alam niya iyon.”
The rest of the Beermen are all looking to regain the title they lost following a five-year reign and giving Fajardo a big morale boost, according to Santos.
“Lahat very supportive. Talagang makikita mo fire sa mga mata.”
Santos also knows Fajardo will do his part, for his team and for the memory of his mother.
“Ang idinadasal kong maging epekto sa kanya, ma-inspire lalo siya,” he said.
“Ganoon ang effect niyan. Puwedeng mas ibigay pa niya para sananayniya. Saka sinabi ko kanina, nu’ngnandoon kami sa parking, ‘Ayokongiiwannatin ang lugarnaitonamalungkot.
Kailangan gusto ko lahat tayo masayakapaginiwannanatin ang lugarnaito.’”
After the teams have had a week of practices, the PBA plans to resume the tournament, on hold since its last playdate on Aug. 1, next week at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
