JunMar Fajardo Re-examined

Remember the Last Philippine Cup where JuneMar Fajardo is the Best Player of the Conference? I do too and as we can see back then JuneMar is playing like a beast. 
It's hard to stop him inside the paint once he got his position, He even averages double-double per game, He became the main man for SMB Shadowing the Reigning MVP Arwind Santos.

But there is something wrong in the next conference (Commissioner's Cup). Junemar Lost his rhythm, maybe not all notices this one but I do. Yes He's still averaging double points and double rebounds per game but he wasn't explosive like he was during the Philippine Cup. 

I don't know maybe because of their early exit from the Commissioner's cup? 
But as far as I'm concerned, he is not the "Kayod-Kraken" guy I knew in the Philippine Cup. 

Asi and Junemar Congratulating each other after Air21 ousted SMB in a twice-to-beat disadvantage by Air21
Photo credit to: Pranz Kaeno Billones 

But maybe there are reasons behind it, and I can state a few of it. 

First, Maybe because this conference is reinforced with imports who's heights cannot exceed 6'10 and with that JMF needs to share roles especially they've tapped a Power forward center (Kevin Jones). So with that JMF's production went a little low because he needs to share some of his minutes, scores and rebounds to their import. 

Second, The changing of the coaching staffs. This might also be a factor of his diminishing play because the old coaching staffs are using JMF as their main point of offense but right now seems like he was just a another piece on the offense because mainly their offense is focused on the guards.

Third, JMF's been checked by other teams lately. There is no wonder that the coaches of every team in the PBA would find a way to stop JMF, How can you not? JMF is actually considered the best center in the PBA today. Now it'll be a big coaching lapse if you actually focused on the guards rather than JMF. Dude JMF can punish you once he got that space and position in the paint. I guess that's why All Coaches and players in the PBA are working and thinking hard to stop this what they so-called "The Kraken"

And Lastly, I think he needs his mentor back. Yes I am referring to Danny Ildefonso because look at the lineup of SMB can someone mentor him in his position? As far as I know Arwind is playing outside while Doug is used for defensive purposes and no one from the coaching staffs can really teach him on how to use his height, body and footwork. I've noticed this midway the Commissioner's cup. Obviously JMF's been checked and the way I see it he needs someone who can teach him other post moves, proper positioning and tips on being a dominant center even when checked already. 

Photo By Spin.Ph

Danny I can teach him all of that, for me I guess that's a wrong move in the part of the SMB management where they let go of Danny I. They could just Hire him back just to train JMF. As far as I remember when Danny I was still in Petron (SMB) Junemar Fajardo is eating everyone alive. He is a unstoppable man inside the paint but now without his old mentor Junemar would have a hard time on adjusting and learning new techniques. Unless they bring a guy who really can train him and I guess he'll be back on his tip-top shape. 

PBA Playoffs 2014: Air 21 Vs. San Miguel Beermen The battle that should be on the books

It was Playoffs already in the PBA and the teams are already ready to fight for the spot for the semis and eventually the finals. 

there are already a lot of predictions on who will win the 1st round and Air21 is none of those predictions. 

I too did not expect that Air 21 would have a chance to beat San Miguel Beermen in the playoffs. I will tell you why:

First San miguel beermen has a loaded lineup composed of Sol Mercado (PG) Chris Ross (PG) Marcio Lassiter (SG) Chris lutz (SG) Arwind Santos (PF/SF) JuneMar Fajardo (C) Doug Kramer (PF/C) Ronald Tubid (SG) and Rico Maierhofer (PF/C)

Not to forget their notable bench players like Chico Lanete and Paulo Hubalde

Now tell me How will you beat a team with that kind of Lineup? 

Second: They have the twice-to-beat advantage 

Now for some teams this is a intimidating factor because once you lose one you'll be eliminated

Now we all have the reason to bet on SMB that they will really win against Air21 easily

But that didn't happen

Air21 won the 1st game with the help of the Reluctant effort of Sean Anthony

Many were shocked when they found out that the Beermen lost against the Express

I too was shocked, I mean with that caliber? how would someone beat a team like SMB? 

but then it hit me, I totally Forgot the word "Heart".

Air21 used Heart and Determination to win that 1st game and by that time I am now questioning the caliber of this SMB team. (But to be honest I love underdogs) 

Now with that thought set. I assumed that SMB will be more hungrier and focused on their next game for it would be a huge shame if they're just going to let them be beaten by team like Air21

With the 2nd game on I see a JuneMar Fajardo more focused than the 1st game and I just got a hunch that the Kraken will be released in that night. 

So at the 1st and 2nd quarter the game was tight. There was even an altercation in the mid 2nd quarter because Yeo Hit Chris Ross below the belt which caused his ejection and it ignite the run of SMB. After the 1st half SMB were leading and they said they will use that 'altercation' as their spark for the whole game. 

Yes I guess it was a spark for them because SMB fought harder in the 3rd and 4th quarter, man their lead even became a double-digit lead. But in the late 4th quarter the Air21 used their Hunger, Hunger for the win, Hunger for respect, and especially Hunger for that Chip'. they rallied back and erased the double digit lead and made it a close game.

Sadly 3 star players from SMB were already fouled out (Fajardo, Lassiter and Mercado) but they were still confident that they are going to get the win because in the last sequence of the 4th quarter, SMB were up by two and there is only 18 second left in the time but the problem is it is still Air21's ball. 

Now the inbound was coming and the Air21 passed it on their import which took the trey and missed, With that trey missed by Air21's import SMB fans and the players saw a glimer of light that they will win the game. 

But there is Asi Taulava. 

He Grabbed that rebound with 1.8 second left in the shotclock and made the shot in the nick of time. OT! 

All people were amazed and shocked on the sequence. Everyone thought that SMB already won the game because of that missed trey by Witherspoon. but Asi Taulava came like a dark cloud who shuts that glimer of light for SMB and sends the game into overtime.

With the OT coming I can see it's finally becoming in the favor of Air21 for they still have complete lineup (well except for Yeo who was ejected earlier) while SMB will have a big problem because their main gunners are on the bench and can't be deployed already.

the 1st OT SMB was still fighting hard, both teams showed their "Puso" and Determination. No player ever showed signs of fatigue, they still keep running and shooting.

And I guess the basketball gods doesn't want to finish this epic game so they send it again to another Overtime. 

But in this 2nd overtime SMB is now showing fatigue and the effect of the fouling out of their 3 main gunners were already exposing: Asi Taulava eating his defender alive, Mac Mac Cardona penetrating and scoring for Air21 and Sean Anthony... well let's just say he pulled another Sean Anthony. 

And at last! the game ended and everyone was left with shock and awe, Your Air21 express defeated the Mighty San Miguel Beermen! the Impossible became possible for Air21 while the side of the Beermen, Faces of frustration and sadness were in each of the players faces. They might be thinking on why are they beaten by Air21 which is not on their level.

Fans say it's all "Luto" and stuff but I say it's all because of "heart and determination" Players of SMB showed determination but Air21 showed more. SMB battled but Air21 gave it all. maybe if Asi wasn't able to make that shot for the Overtime I guess the speculations would be different.  But just as I say, Asi was able to grab that rebound and make the shot because he got heart. 

Heart.. 

It really changes the game of basketball. If you have heart in every game, you can defy the odds and be like David and defeat a Goliath

"Stay Humbry" - Sol mercado 

Humbry = Hungry and Humble