June Mar Fajardo pointed out the strengths of both EJ Anosike and former reinforcement Jordan Adams after San Miguel’s Game 1 quarters win over Converge.

June Mar Fajardo lauds EJ Anosike:
EJ Anosike and June Mar Fajardo (not in photo) team up to show the way for San Miguel against Converge in their quarterfinal opener in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Thursday, Sept. 26. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

June Mar Fajardo was adjudged Best Player of the Game.

But Fajardo reserved his praises for new San Miguel import EJ Anosike in the aftermath of their 102-95 win over Converge in the opener of their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup race-to-three quarterfinal series on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Anosike, who replaced injury-hit Jordan Adams, submitted 28 points, 11 rebounds, and five rebounds in an impressive league debut.

“Si EJ, sobrang lakas sa ilalim, sobrang lakas niya sa boards,” said the eight-time Most Valuable Player Fajardo, who was just as stellar with his 25 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

“Si Jordan (Adams) naman, pure scorer talaga. Itong si EJ, hustle player. Grabe ‘yung energy niya sa loob.”

Fajardo said Anosike complement the Beermen well.

“Nagku-complement din sa team. Kailangan ng kaunting adjustments namin,” said Fajardo.
Anosike, for his part, said that it was easy to make the necessary adjustments given that San Miguel is a “good team” with “good players.”

“Any time you play with a good team with a bunch of good players, the chemistry is already there. You play good basketball. It’s always easy to adjust,” Anosike said.

Anosike, Fajardo and the rest of the Beermen will try to string two consecutive victories and move closer to the semis as they clash anew with the FiberXers on Game 2 set Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.