'Not yet out': June Mar Fajardo hopes San Miguel forces rubber match vs Meralco

They may be down, but for June Mar Fajardo, the San Miguel Beermen are not yet out.

San Miguel is down 3-2 against Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup finals as the Beermen fell, 92-88, in Game 5.

Fajardo had 38 points and 18 rebounds, but Meralco came out on the better end from Friday's game.

For the Best Player of the Conference, they will use Game 6 as their chance to bounce back and hope to force a rubber match.

"Bawi na lang next game, sabi nga namin long series 'to. 'Di pa naman kami out so may chance kami makabawi. Bawi kami next game," Fajardo said on Friday.

(We'll bounce back next game, we've said this is a long series. We're not yet out so there is still a chance to fight back.)

The Beermen are not new to this situation.

Back in the 2022 Philippine Cup, San Miguel trailed TNT in the series, 3-2, but still won the title. Three years before that, the Beermen were also in the same situation against Magnolia, and they again won the trophy.

For Fajardo, hard work is the key to eventually win the title.

"Pagsisipagan namin 'yung next game kasi gusto namin makuha ang championship. 'Di namin basta-basta ibibigay 'yun," assured Fajardo.

(We will really work it out next game because we want to get the championship. We will not easily give it away.)

Should Meralco win on Sunday night, it will be the Bolts' first PBA title since joining the league in 2010.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News