COLOSSAL CHRISTMAS DAY BATTLE
The much-anticipated Junmar Fajardo-Greg Slaughter clash will have to wait another game.
It won’t happen this Christmas Day as Fajardo will have to rest his right knee that he injured towards the end of their practice Monday afternoon.
Nevertheless, a slam-bang battle is expected as Petron Blaze and Barangay Ginebra fight for the solo lead in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup Christmas Day special at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Junmar Fajardo is not playing, but luckily his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is intact according to his doctors,” said Petron coach Gee Abanilla.
“We just have to be resilient and weather the storm. We are hoping for the best for Junmar and I know that God will always be there to guide him and our team,” Abanilla also said.
The brewing storm for Petron is the Ginebra team that’s hot on a four-game romp.
Ginebra pulled abreast with Petron atop the leader board as the Kings trounced the Alaska Milk Aces, 96-89, while the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters stopped the Boosters, 99-95, in overtime Saturday.
“Talagang pinaghandaan namin ito. Gusto namin galing kami sa panalo papunta sa laban against Petron,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin after they hurdled the Aces.
Both already having a lock on playoffs spot with their identical 7-1 win-loss cards, Ginebra and Petron are now in chase of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
The Kings are pressing their bid, going for a fifth straight win following earlier victories over the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, the Barako Bull Energy Cola and the Air21 Express.
Agustin, however, expects an uphill battle against the Boosters even minus Fajardo.
His biggest concern is how to contain Petron’s battery of prolific forwards.
The Boosters, meanwhile, will have to deal with Ginebra giants Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar, and Doug Kramer and Arwind Santos are likely to have their hands full against them.
Slaughter norms 15.0 markers, 10.62 boards and 2.0 blocks while Aguilar puts in 19.75 points, 9.12 rebounds and 4.0 blocks an outing.
Then the Boosters will also have to take a close look at LA Tenorio, Mark Caguioa, Chris Ellis and Mac Baracael.
Petron will miss Fajardo and his per-game averages of 15.5 points, 17.25 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. (SB)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
