Fajardo praises Tautuaa, Rosario: ‘They’re part of PH basketball’s future’
TNT’s Moala Tautuaa puts a body on San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo in a rebound play. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
June Mar Fajardo could not help but see himself in Mo Tautuaa and Troy Rosario when his San Miguel Beer faced TNT on Sunday.
Before winning championships and MVP awards, Fajardo was once a greenhorn as he finds his place in a league full of superstars with everyone’s attention focused on him every time he hits the floor.
And like him, Fajardo believes it’s only a matter of time before Tautuaa and Rosario will come into their own.
“Ganun talaga pag una, pero makukuha din nila yun. Makaka-adjust din sila,” he said.
Sunday, though, clearly wasn’t yet their time with Fajardo and Santos getting the better of the anticipated matchup of the two powerhouse squads.
Santos topped the game with a season-high 30 points, 12 rebounds, and a block while Fajardo had 22 points, 15 rebounds, and five rejections.
In comparison, Rosario had 17 points and nine rebounds, while Tautuaa was limited to 14 markers and a board in another game where he was saddled by foul trouble.
“May potential sila. Nandoon sila as future of Philippine basketball. Pareho silang maganda ang nilaro.”
Fajardo also commended the Beermen after stretching their winning streak to seven games.
“Maganda yung takbo ng team. Maganda yung chemistry ng team. Maganda na yung jelling namin dahil sa tagal naming magkakasama.
“Alam na namin yung strength ng bawat isa,” he said, hoping that the string of wins will extend to eight as the Beermen go up against the Alaska Aces on Wednesday in a rematch of last year’s finals with an automatic semifinals berth hanging in the balance.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy na.”
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