In light of the news that both San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel center Greg Slaughter will not participate in the upcoming 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, which begins on March 8, PBA coaches have chimed in on how it will impact the conference.
“Malaking bagay for us na wala ‘yung Fajardo but we won’t take them lightly (It’s a big deal for us that Fajardo is not competing but we will not take them lightly),” said TNT KaTropa head coach Ferdinand ‘Bong’ Ravena. “Even without Fajardo it doesn’t mean they’re weak.”
“Hindi naman namin p’wedeng maliitin iyan kasi siyempre San Miguel pa rin iyan (We cannot minimize the team, they’re the San Miguel Beermen),” he added.
Meralco Bolts head coach Norman Black said the situation evens out the playing field.
“Both Fajardo and Slaughter had been a match-up problem but we all know as well that San Miguel and Ginebra are more than just a one-man team,” he explained. “I’m sure other players will step up.”
Meanwhile, NLEX Road Warriors coach Joseller ‘Yeng’ Guiao said the Beermen are still a formidable side.
“Andyan pa rin naman ‘yung core ng team nila and it is still a dangerous core (The team’s core is still there and they are dangerous),” the coach said. “San Miguel remains deadly.”
“I don’t think it was June Mar alone who won those championships for the team,” he added. “You need to surround him with those good players.”
Fajardo is currently sidelined with a leg injury while Slaughter recently announced he is taking a break./ASC, WDJ