JUNE Mar Fajardo's stats line at the end of his first game in the PBA reads like this: nine points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, a small cut on his left eyebrow, and countless aches all over his body.
Walking forlornly as he emerged from Petron’s dugout after an 86-102 defeat to Rain or Shine on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Fajardo admitted getting frustrated by the physical play of the Elasto Painters, especially big men Beau Belga, JR Quinahan and Jervy Cruz.
“Di ko ine-expect na ganito ka physical, malaki talaga ang pagkakaiba,” Fajardo told Spin.ph, pointing to a bandage on his left eyebrow owing to a cut he suffered during a skirmish with Ryan Arana midway through the final period.
With the 6-6 Belga and the 6-5 Quinahan hitting three three-pointers each and Arana, Cruz and just about every player in a Rain or Shine uniform putting a body on the rookie at every opportunity, the Elasto Painters proved a tough proposition for the 6-10 Cebuano.
Fajardo was either late going out to cover Belga and Quinahan in the perimeter - and slow to scramble back inside the shaded lane to stop drives by the likes of Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, and Jireh Ibanes.
“Sa depensa, nahirapan ako dahil ang dami nilang shooters, pati big man tumitira. Okay lang daw na habulin dahil may magro-rotate naman, though medyo nahuhuli lang,” said the former University of Cebu star.
Petron’s own rookie coach Olsen Racela said: “Nahirapan siya (Fajardo) kasi yung malalaki ng Rain or Shine eh nilalabas siya because they shoot. That’s not his comfort zone (Fajardo defending the perimeter). Tapos nagulo defense namin kapag lumalabas si June Mar."
The constant banging also clearly ruffled Fajardo, who ended up flubbing several easy undergoal stabs. In 38 minutes on the floor, the rookie went 2-of-7 from the field and 5-of-11 from the foul line.
Petron coaching consultant Rajko Toroman, however, cautioned against expecting Fajardo to turn into a super center overnight.
"June Mar never really played real basketball all his life. He didn't play a lot in ABL (Asean Basketball League). You see him missing layups. So it's a learning process for him," said the former national coach.
"Maybe in one or two years, he'll dominate. But you don't expect him to explode soon."
Source: Richard Dy, SPIN.ph
FIERY ROS SUBDUES PRE-TOURNEY PICK PETRON
source:pba.com.ph
PETRON BLAZE REVVED UP FOR ACTION
There’re sacrifices to make, but it’s worth it - Gary David
"Yes it’s quite thrilling to be able to contribute to the team’s scoring, but if it means that team can win only if I take a backseat, I am quite happy to do that,” - Gary David
For PBA’s star shooter Gary David, the first three days of the 4th FIBA Asia Cup has been about sacrifices. The 34-year-old shooting guard, who averaged 25.8 points per game in the 2011-12 PBA Season, during which he led Powerade Tigers to the Finals of the All Philippine Cup, has had a rather quiet start in his maiden FIBA Asia competition.
“In the PBA all the plays are around me. Therefore I get more of the touches and the shots,” he said in a conversation with this website after Philippines’ second win in the competition on Sunday.
“But here I have to share the ball with my teammates. I have to make some sacrifices. But I don’t mind that at all since I am playing for my country and it’s an honor,” he added.
Be it for the Powerade or the RP, the interest of the team weighs higher than any other for Gary David.
“It doesn’t matter how many points I score as long as the team wins,” said David who a set a PBA new record of scoring 30-plus points in six successive games.
“Yes it’s quite thrilling to be able to contribute to the team’s scoring, but if it means that team can win only if I take a backseat, I am quite happy to do that,” he added.
Dwelling on the major differences between playing the PBA and an official competition, David said that the biggest adjustment was in terms of the rules.
“It’s quite funny at times, when we don’t adjust to the rules,” said David who committed four travelling violations in Philippines’ win against Lebanon the other night, by taking that ‘extra’ step during a lay-up which is allowed in the PBA.
“But life is all about learning. And I am quite enjoying my time here,” he signed off.
via FIBA Asia.net
"Yes it’s quite thrilling to be able to contribute to the team’s scoring, but if it means that team can win only if I take a backseat, I am quite happy to do that,” - Gary David
For PBA’s star shooter Gary David, the first three days of the 4th FIBA Asia Cup has been about sacrifices. The 34-year-old shooting guard, who averaged 25.8 points per game in the 2011-12 PBA Season, during which he led Powerade Tigers to the Finals of the All Philippine Cup, has had a rather quiet start in his maiden FIBA Asia competition.
“In the PBA all the plays are around me. Therefore I get more of the touches and the shots,” he said in a conversation with this website after Philippines’ second win in the competition on Sunday.
“But here I have to share the ball with my teammates. I have to make some sacrifices. But I don’t mind that at all since I am playing for my country and it’s an honor,” he added.
Be it for the Powerade or the RP, the interest of the team weighs higher than any other for Gary David.
“It doesn’t matter how many points I score as long as the team wins,” said David who a set a PBA new record of scoring 30-plus points in six successive games.
“Yes it’s quite thrilling to be able to contribute to the team’s scoring, but if it means that team can win only if I take a backseat, I am quite happy to do that,” he added.
Dwelling on the major differences between playing the PBA and an official competition, David said that the biggest adjustment was in terms of the rules.
“It’s quite funny at times, when we don’t adjust to the rules,” said David who committed four travelling violations in Philippines’ win against Lebanon the other night, by taking that ‘extra’ step during a lay-up which is allowed in the PBA.
“But life is all about learning. And I am quite enjoying my time here,” he signed off.
via FIBA Asia.net
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