San Miguel Beer failed to make it to the playoffs of the Commissioner’s Cup, but June Mar Fajardo played his best game of the conference with 31 points and 19 rebounds to beat GlobalPort on Tuesday night.

The Cebuano center admitted he was especially inspired during the match due to the presence of girlfriend Aerieal Patnongon, who sat behind the SMB bench to cheer him on live for the first time.
“Ngayon lang kasi ako nagka-free time, actually, kaya ngayon lang ako nakapanood ng game,” said the middle hitter of the Ateneo Lady Eagles, who recently won the UAAP women’s volleyball championship title.

Patnongon said she was nervous for her boyfriend because the game was a crucial one for the Beermen – they had to win by more than 30 points to notch a playoff berth.

“Napapanood ko naman siya sa TV tapos ngayon live,” she said. “Iba pala pag live. Sobrang idol ko na siya.”

The 23-year-old psychology major also opened up about her relationship with Fajardo, saying that they are happy and strong together.

The two have been introduced by a common friend, and began dating recently. Patnongon has been vocal of her affection for the Cebuano cager in social media, saying that she is lucky to be with the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player.

“Ma-effort siya, ipaparamdam niya talaga sayo ‘yung love niya,” she said, adding that Fajardo braves the notorious Katipunan Avenue traffic just to see her.

The usually meek Fajardo also showed his sweetness after the game, kissing her on the cheek in front of national television. The two left the Big Dome hand in hand.