Losses at the start of a PBA conference is nothing new for the San Miguel Beermen. This has happened before on a number of occasions, at times because they are working their way back from a post-championship and as they get an aging roster back into rhythm. 

But losing still sucks. 

A proud organization like the Beermen despises defeats, especially against teams they know they can wallop and even though they are undermanned, a loss to an upstart squad like the Titan Ultra Giant Risers stings nonetheless. Thus, against another emerging squad in the Converge FiberXers, SMB leaned on their most reliable player. 

Even against a bevy of younger big men, June Mar Fajardo remains a force. San Miguel was staring at a sizable deficit early in the game, but the steady play of the nine-time PBA MVP on both ends of the floor allowed the Beermen to rally and earn their first win in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. 

Steady is perhaps the appropriate word to describe what Fajardo means for SMB. He has more often than not been a reliable source of points and rebounds, and his ability to draw double and even triple teams has led to wider driving lanes and open shots for his teammates. The longtime national team member is equally happy to score as he is in setting screens for his teammates and grabbing rebounds to ignite fastbreaks. 

Many big men can execute these facets of the game individually, but it’s even rarer to find ones that can contribute in many ways and do so at a high level. Fajardo falls into that distinguished group even if he is already inching closer to 40 and has a ton of mileage in his body. It’s great to see his body has held up despite all the battles he has faced and his resilience in the face of setbacks has inspired San Miguel to continue its quest for more PBA championships. 

As long as his body and spirit are willing, the Beermen will likely lean on Fajardo to carry a significant load on his shoulders. SMB’s import Marcus Lee is likely not the type to produce the big numbers PBA imports often come up with, but he could still be a great fit with Fajardo, especially if San Miguel wants to keep deploying two capable big men at a time with a rotation of Fajardo, Lee, Mo Tautuaa, and Rodney Brondial. 

After all, the San Miguel Beermen have an embarrassment of riches talent-wise. There are times when the games don’t completely reveal this, but at the end of the day, it’s securing a championship that matters the most. And more often than not for the Beermen, the chase for a title begins with June Mar Fajardo.