PBA |
By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY--On Sunday, Junemar Fajardo made an appearance in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel and Alaska but did not suit up and only received his Best Player of the Conference trophy.
The Beermen, however, averted the Aces' sweep bid with a 110-104 overtime win.
Coach Leo Austria then told the press that he will reactivate Fajardo if San Miguel extends the series to a Game 7, something that never happened in PBA history.
It turns out, the "Game 7" is actually Game 5.
Fajardo made his return from a reported partial ACL injury late in the first quarter of the fifth game of the best-of-seven series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
The 6-10 star center, who hurt his left knee in Game 6 of San Miguel's semifinal clash with Rain Or Shine, checked into the game with 56 seconds left in the opening period.
He instantly made impact as he scored on a field goal to extend the Beermen's lead, 23-20 before the end of the quarter.
He eventually finished the first half with six points, but San Miguel and Alaska are tied, 36-all, at halftime.
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