JUNE Mar Fajardo knows losing Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals would’ve been critical for San Miguel.

So the seven-time league MVP went out and defied the advice of doctors, helping the Beermen pull off a 108-98 win over Magnolia that moved them within an arm’s reach of the season-opening championship.

Shrugging off a sore calf, Fajardo remained a pillar of strength for the Beermen, scoring 18 points and hauling down 15 rebounds as San Miguel avoided a third straight loss to take a 3-2 series lead on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fajardo admitted what coach Jorge Gallent told during the post-game presser that he was advised to rest for tonight’s game.

“Gusto ko talagang maglaro, e,” he admitted. “Kasi kung hindi ako maglaro today, magre-rest din naman (next two days) so might as well maglaro na lang ako.”

Asked about the doctors’ advice, the 6-foot-10 Fajardo gave out an impish smile.

“Advice lang….Basta kailangan akong maglaro,” a smiling Fajardo said. “Gusto ko ring maglaro. Kailangan namin mag-bounce back, kailangan naming manalo. Sayang yung opportunity.”

Photo by: Jerome Ascano

The San Miguel big man though, didn’t log his usual 40-plus minutes per game as he only saw action for 35 minutes, two days after his left calf tightened in an 88-80 loss in Game 4.

At the same time, hot shooting Jericho Cruz, import Bennie Boatwright, and Simon Enciso carried most of the load for the Beermen.

“Pulut-pulot lang ako dun. Yung mga teammates ko talaga ang gumawa,” Fajardo humbly said with special mention on Cruz, who shot 8-of-14 from beyond the arc.

Fajardo deals with soreness

Although there is still some soreness in his left calf, Fajardo said he will rest the hurting leg for the next two days to be ready to finish off the Hotshots on Wednesday.

“May pahinga naman ng two days. So gagamitin ko yun ng maayos,” he said. “Malaking bagay yun.”

Game 6 is set Wednesday also at the Big Dome.