IT'S final. No June Mar Fajardo for San Miguel inside the PBA bubble.
Coach Leo Austria said the Beermen will still be without their main man when the league restarts the Philippine Cup by next month.
Although it's been seven months now since the reigning, five-time MVP went down with a shin injury, the 6-foot-9 Fajardo has yet to get a doctor's clearance as his rehabilitation is still ongoing.
"Besides kung puwede naman talaga, hindi pa rin siya paglalaruin," Austria disclosed in his guest appearance in the program Sports Page on Tuesday.
As it is, the 30-year-old Fajardo hasn't attended any of the players' workouts being done by the Beermen at their training facility at the Acropolis gym.
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"Preparation is very important," noted Austria.
Each team is allowed just 25 personnel inside bubble at the Clark Freeport, including 15 players.
Even then, Austria said San Miguel is just as ready to defend its title.
The defending champion will head to the All-Filipino conference resumption holding a 1-0 record after beating Magnolia, 94-78, in the lone game played in the season so far prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Obviously, Austria liked what he saw with the way the Beermen disposed a top contender like the Hotshots.
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"We were up against Magnolia and played a good game as if we didn't miss Fajardo," said Austria.
"The good thing is the players realized we will play without June Mar, so everybody's commitment is there." (RG)
