ROS expecting tough grind vs bigger Fajardo, San Miguel
June Mar Fajardo vs Rain or Shine defense. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Miguel’s giant named JuneMar Fajardo has become the focal point of Rain or Shine’s move to improve on its size.
ROS coach Yeng Guiao made the revelation in the aftermath of their 104-89 rout of Talk N Text in the knockout quarterfinals of the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup on Monday that sent the ElastoPainters in the semifinals against Fajardo and the Beermen.
San Miguel enjoys a 6-1 advantage against ROS in their head-to-head last season, certainly not encouraging numbers for a team who considers Fajado an enigma.
“That has become a motivation for us. Actually kaya kami nag-revamp ng lineup hindi kasi namin matalo-talo yung San Miguel,” Guiao admitted. “We wanted to be bigger. We know we can’t find anybody bigger than Fajardo so nag-palaki na lang kami as a team.”
The ElastoPainters lost TY Tang, who went into retirement after last season, and traded away guard Ryan Arana and center-forward Jervy Cruz during the off-season. Guiao called them a “great loss” but the team have to make some sacrifices to improve and stay competitive.
So far, the team’s new acquisitions — Maverick Ahanmisi, Don Trollano and Jewel Ponferrada – have blended well with the team according to Guiao, who took notice of Ahanmisi as “finding his proper role with the team.”
“All around nag-palaki kami. I’m hoping yung size differential is not going to be that much of a problem especially if we can keep our running game going,” Guiao said.
The fiery ROS coach believes taking the long route instead of making the semis outright has toughen up his chargers for the next phase against the Beermen. Still, he said the ElastoPainters will have their hands full in the best of seven series with Fajardo in their way.
“It will be tough especially with the new rules. Hindi mo pwedeng itulak or banggain, so ang laking advantage talaga ng meron kang Fajardo or (Greg) Slaugther,” Guiao observed.
ROS, making its eighth consecutive trip to the Final Four (a record among active teams in the league) and San Miguel start their series on Jan. 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Guiao maintains it would be very difficult to solve a problem like Fajardo, a high-percentage shooter, even against a double-team.
“When he touches the ball and because of his size he can see the whole floor. Marunong din pumasa. You just try to minimize his effectivity. If you can limit his touches you can probably succeed partly,” he said.
And maybe, the ElastoPainters could wear down the San Miguel giant with their fluid up-tempo game.
“Yung lang ang puhunan namin, our weapon against them (San Miguel and Fajardo),” Guiao said. (Dave Coros)
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