FAJARDO TAKES ON AGELESS ASI AS LEADERS, TAILENDERS MEET
PETRON Blaze’s June Mar Fajardo has hurdled Barako Bull’s Bruise Brothers, Dorian Peña and Mick Pennisi. Now he takes on the ageless and still hulking Asi Taulava of Air21.
The Boosters and the Express, situated on opposite poles in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup, clash at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Petron remains unbeaten in five games in the inter-intra elimination round, while Air21 only recently snapped a five-game losing start.
This marks the first encounter between two centers representing the past and future of Philippine basketball, both having played for the national team and both looking to have their way this conference before the big and burly imports come along.
Fajardo is on his sophomore season while Taulava has been around for 14 years now, having won MVP honors in 2003.
“I’m out to show these young players what I really can do,” Taulava said recently.
Fajardo will be waiting.
The 6-foot-10 Cebuano is averaging 15.2 points, 17.4 rebounds with 2 assists and 2.8 shot blocks in 37.8 minutes of action, while the 6-foot-9 Taulava, the oldest active player in the league at 40, is clipping 8.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.6 shot blocks while playing 35.3 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, Petron playmakers Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross are expected to suit up against the Express, having recovered from different injuries.
Cabagnot will be making his debut after missing the first five games due to a torn plantar fasciitis (right foot), while Ross, acquired in an off-season trade, played the first two games before missing the next three with a pulled hamstring.
“They practiced already, and both of them looked good, their movement. This is the first time they joined a full practice. But still, with injuries you want to be patient,” said Petron coach Gee Abanilla. (WJRHT)
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