‘Walang imposible:’ Fajardo still hopeful as San Miguel fights for survival in PBA Governors’ Cup

MANILA — Nine-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo remains hopeful even as the San Miguel Beermen are facing elimination in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals. 

The Beermen are in a must-win situation in Game 3 of their best-of-five series against the Barangay Ginebra, as the Gin Kings took the first two games in comfortable fashion. 

Fajardo believes San Miguel has plenty to address if it wants to keep its semifinals hopes alive, but he is not counting the Beermen out given their championship experience. 

“Walang imposible basta ano lang, kailangan namin mag-regroup. Mahirap lalo na kalaban namin yung Ginebra. Well-organized sila,” the 36-year-old told reporters after their 99-126 loss last Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

Despite Fajardo’s optimism, the numbers and history are not in the Beermen’s favor. 

According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, Ginebra has eliminated San Miguel in their last five playoff meetings in the Governors’ Cup. 

The Gin Kings are also one win away from repeating their 3-0 sweep of the Beermen in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals. 

But Fajardo wants the Beermen to lean on their history, pointing out that San Miguel is the only team in PBA history to comeback from a 0-3 deficit to win a series. The feat known as the ‘Beer-acle’ took place in the 2016 Philippine Cup finals against the now defunct Alaska Aces, where San Miguel went on to win the championship despite being down 0-3. 

“Walang imposible. Kailangan maging positive lang and one game at a time. Hindi naman tapos yung series. Kailangan pa nila kami talunin ng isa pa,” the San Miguel big man said. 

The Beermen aim to extend their quarterfinals series against the Gin Kings in Game 3 on Tuesday at the Dasmariñas City Arena.