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Tag: June Mar Fajardo

  • “Super sore talaga”: Norbert Torres reflects on guarding June Mar Fajardo in Game 1 of PBA semifinals

    “Super sore talaga”: Norbert Torres reflects on guarding June Mar Fajardo in Game 1 of PBA semifinals

    Barangay Ginebra San Miguel struck first in the Philippine Cup semifinals, edging long-time rivals San Miguel Beermen, 99–90, in Game 1 on Sunday, January 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    The Gin Kings welcomed the opening win, especially after surviving a dominant showing from San Miguel’s record eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo. The 36-year-old center delivered a heroic all-around performance, finishing with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and three blocks in 40 minutes, but received limited support from his teammates.

     

    Tasked with helping contain Fajardo was Ginebra center Norbert Torres, who not only battled defensively but also chipped in on offense. Torres scored eight points, knocking down 2-of-7 attempts from beyond the arc, helping stretch San Miguel’s defense.

     

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    Torres admitted the physical toll of guarding Fajardo, even if only in limited stretches, noting that he resorted to fouling at times just to slow down the Beermen star.

    “Super sore talaga actually. Kasi kahit 20 minutes against June Mar, playing 20 minutes, it feels like 40 minutes. So very sore ‘yung katawan ko. Just try to get less touches for June Mar as much as possible. But that’s a hard task saying that. More of just early contact, laging contact sa kanya, and then trying as much as possible not to give him the offensive rebound,” Torres said in a media interaction.

     

    By stepping out to the perimeter, Torres was able to pull Fajardo away from the paint, opening up driving lanes for Ginebra’s guards and wings.

     

    “That’s part of the game plan as well, just to stretch him out para he is not always in the paint. Good thing, it went in the fourth quarter,” he added.

     

    Despite the Game 1 victory, Torres expects a tougher challenge ahead, anticipating adjustments from the Beermen in Game 2.

     

    “For sure, it’s just going to get harder. June Mar’s going to come out stronger, they are going to look for him more. The other guys are also going to step up as well. They are probably going to make their shots. So we have to adjust to that,” Torres concluded.

     

    Game 2 of the best-of-seven semifinal series is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, once again at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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  • Tim Cone hails June Mar Fajardo, admits Barangay Ginebra were fortunate in semifinal victory

    Tim Cone hails June Mar Fajardo, admits Barangay Ginebra were fortunate in semifinal victory

    Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) powerhouse Barangay Ginebra San Miguel drew first blood in the Philippine Cup semifinals, overcoming long-time rivals San Miguel Beermen 99-90 in Game 1 on Sunday, January 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    The Gin Kings will be grateful for the win, as San Miguel’s record eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) June Mar Fajardo put in a heroic performance. The 36-year-old finished with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and three blocks in 40 minutes of play, but his efforts were largely unsupported by his teammates on the night.

     

    Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone acknowledged his team’s fortune in escaping with the victory while praising Fajardo for his dominance on the court.

     

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    “We are just happy we were able to pull off this one despite June Mar having a big game. Credit to June Mar, that’s how good he is, that’s how good he has been,” Cone said in the post-match press conference.

    Cone’s game plan involved pairing two of his big men—Japeth Aguilar and Norbert Torres—to contain Fajardo, a strategy that proved physically taxing for both players.

     

    “We obviously played a tag team on him with Japeth and Norbert. They did the best that they could. It’s physically daunting to guard a guy that big and that strong. Both our guys are exhausted just guarding the single guy.

     

    “He is just that kind of player. Wow. He played the fourth quarter too, the whole 12 minutes of the fourth quarter,” Cone added.

     

    Despite Fajardo’s heroics, Barangay Ginebra’s balanced approach and resilience carried them to victory, giving them a crucial 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series. Cone will be hoping that his team can maintain this form and build on their advantage when the two squads meet again in Game 2 on Wednesday, January 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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