Warning: Fajardo to Dominate the PBA in the Next 10 Years- El Presidente
It takes one Cebuano to know that Fajardo will dominate the PBA in the next decade
(Photo by the PBA Media Bureau)
The semifinal series between the San Miguel Beermen and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings has been a roller coaster ride for June Mar Fajardo of the Beermen. He didn't have his usual dominant numbers, especially on the offensive end although he scored 33 points in Game 2. That's the beauty of having a June Mar Fajardo on your team because his capabilities can draw defenders away from his 4 other teammates on the floor which opens the door for them to attack or to drop those long bombs.
Regardless of the outcome of this series, the PBA will have to watch Fajardo dominate other big men for the next 10 years.
That is according to El Presidente, Ramon Fernandez who was in attendance alongside Robert Jaworksi when the San Miguel Beermen erupted for a 102-81 victory in Game 4 of their best-of-7 series which puts them a win away from their 4th consecutive Philippine Cup Finals trip.
According to Fernandez who was interviewed courtside by PBA reporter, Selina Dagdag, El Presidente, who played and won the 1989 Grand Slam for the Beermen, said that he expects Fajardo to dominate the PBA in the next 10 years- at least. So if we are to do the simple Math, Fajardo is now 28 years-old and he will continue to lord over the big men of the PBA until the age of 38? Well, playing until that age is doable if you look at Asi Taulava but to dominate? That's an entirely different thing.
Moreover, El Presidente also cautioned The Kraken that he should maintain his playing weight and avoid gaining unnecessary pounds for the obvious reason: it could slow Fajardo down. Also, Fernandez stated that if there's one area in basketball where Fajardo could excel more in the near future, that would be his defense as big men would try and try to play him one-on-one until he breaks down. The scary thing about it, if Fajardo is to improve his defense, then Greg Slaughter and others might not get a chance to even score against Fajardo. In fact, it's already difficult to score when being guarded by Fajardo so if he does become better at it, well, the PBA is doomed for the next 10 years, to say the least.
Conclusion
You cannot blame Ramon Fernandez for singing high praises for June Mar Fajardo. After all, they are both Cebuanos and if anything, it's Fajardo who is going to break the record El Presidente (and Alvin Patrimonio) currently owns in terms of the number of MVP awards that has been bagged by a PBA player. The question now is this: is it possible for Fajardo to continue his dominant ways until 2028? That's up to him, to his health and, to the Beermen themselves. Why? They already have a Christian Standhardinger waiting in the wings.