By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
San Miguel Beermen’s worst fears have just been confirmed.
June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel’s superstar franchise player, will be out for at least six weeks after being diagnosed with a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee.
PBA’s only six-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) suffered the injury during the East Asia Super League (EASL) Champions Week basketball tournament.
Fajardo bumped knees with Ryukyu Golden Kings’ big man Jack Cooley when he was establishing his position in the shaded lane midway through the opening frame.
After Fajado felt the bump, the PBA multi-champion immediately limped his way to the sideline and asked for a substitution on the San Miguel bench.
Fajardo would then miss the remaining games in the EASL tournament and quickly received an MRI when they arrived in the Philippines.
San Miguel therapist Edward Bacason and team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed the news that Fajardo will miss their last two elimination games against the NLEX Road Warriors and the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.
Fajardo’s absence will become a huge blow as San Miguel is currently seeking a better finish to acquire a twice-to-beat advantage for the playoffs.
If the Cebuano center will maximize his six-week absence, it would also mean that the Beermen will be without Fajardo in the first round of the postseason.
San Miguel is currently sitting at the no. 3 spot with a 7-2 win-loss record behind TNT Tropang Giga and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
