Jan 25, 2021

Fajardo comeback a big challenge for Caperal

PRINCE Caperal knows Barangay Ginebra will have its hands full when it defends its Philippine Cup title in Season 46 of the PBA.

The return of six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo for San Miguel has a lot to do with that.

Aware the 6-foot-9 Fajardo is finally back in the pink of health and ready to suit up for the Beermen again, Caperal said it would be a big challenge for the Kings to go for a back-to-back championship in what is considered as the league's crown jewel.

"Ganun talaga pag nagcha-champion, may target ka sa likod. Mahigpitan ang labanan," said the 2020 Most Improved Player awardee when he appeared in the weekly sports program The Chasedown on ONE PH.

The Kings won their first all-Filipino crown in 13 years at the Clark bubble last season that signaled the end of the Beermen's five-year reign as champion. Barangay Ginebra beat TnT Tropang Giga in the finals.

Sponsored content:
But San Miguel went to war without its most valuable player who was still recovering from an off-season surgery after going down with a shin injury.

Now the Beermen are out to reclaim their throne with Fajardo given the clearance by team doctors to finally play.

While a rejuvenated San Miguel side that will also have prolific guard Terrence Romeo returning to active duty is definitely a threat to Ginebra's title retention bid, Caperal welcomes the comeback of Fajardo from a season-long layoff as he considers the Cebuano big man one of the nicest players around the league.

"I'm glad na babalik na si June Mar. Sobrang sarap makipag-laro kay June Mar," stressed the 27-year-old Ginebra big man out of Arellano University.

"MVP. Sobrang nakaka-challenge," he added. "Sobrang laking tao pero sobrang bait. Ang hirap dikitan, masyado mabait kasi."

Sponsored content:
But at the same time, Caperal knows he has the work cut out for him guarding the San Miguel giant at the post.

"Mahihirapan na naman, bugbog na naman ako nito," Caperal said in jest. (RG)