PBA: June Mar Fajardo expected to play through 'konting calf tear' in Game 4

June Mar Fajardo said that he had a small calf tear, but he added that he will play through it in Game 4. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--June Mar Fajardo revealed on Sunday night that he has a small tear in his calf muscle following Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals between San Miguel and Ginebra.

Already feeling the pain during the second quarter, the 6-foot-10 behemoth played through the calf injury the rest of the way, but he was limited to only six points in the loss.

Fajardo decided to yield and play off the bench in the next two games for more time to rest a bit.

"May parang cramping tapos konting tear, pero OK naman," said Fajardo, who despite dropping Game 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City played decently.

While relatively quiet again in scoring with 12 points, Fajardo, arguably the top rebounder in the PBA today, grabbed 14 boards and swatted away one blocked shot.

"Tight lang nang konti, pero OK naman. Hindi naman siya masakit," Fajardo replied when asked how his leg responded to the jumps in Game 3 amid the calf injury.

With an extra day of rest between Games 3 and 4, Fajardo is expected to give it a try again, all the more that the Beermen are now 1-2 down against the Gin Kings in the best-of-seven series.

"May pahinga naman kami for two days," he further said.

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