By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
After coach Yeng Guiao released a bold statement saying that the San Miguel Beermen looked better without June Mar Fajardo, veteran Blackwater coach Nash Racela couldn’t agree more.
Upon his review between the game of SMB and the Magnolia Hotshots, Racela noticed how lethal the Beermen offense was executed and said, “mas nakakatakot.”
Racela elaborated that the absence of their superstar paved the way for the others to produce, and what makes it more dangerous is that all five members on the floor for SMB can score the leather.
During their game against Magnolia, Fajardo’s primary back-up center, Moala Tautaa, top-scored the team with 20 huge points followed by Terrence Romeo who contributed 18 while three other players scored in double-figures.
“I wasn’t really surprised. Ang stand ko really was sa pagkawala ni June Mar, it gives the other players more opportunity to show kung anong meron sila especially a team like San Miguel na hindi nagkukulang sa talent,” Racela said.
With the freedom the SMB players have offensively due to Fajardo’s absence, Racela added that the opposing defense will have a huge problem in crafting the right defensive sets that would match perfectly with the kind of offense SMB will run.
“Now na wala siya, mas nakakatakot dahil limang tao sa loob, kaya mag-deliver which really what happened in that first game. From all angles, umatake ang San Miguel from Mo Tautuaa to the guards,” Racela followed-up.
Despite Fajardo’s absence, SMB is still considered as one of the teams to beat in the currently suspended PBA all-Filipino conference.
