SMB admits playing sans June Mar will be a tough task

San Miguel Beermen's (SMB) June Mar Fajardo will be out for the next game due to a leg injury. PHOTO FROM PBA MEDIA GROUP

After being kings of the PBA Philippine Cup for five straight years, it looks like the San Miguel Beermen's (SMB) road to another title will be a bumpy ride.

"This year, ito ang pinakamabigat," SMB Governor Robert Non admitted during the PBA's pre-season conference on Tuesday at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

While the absence of SMB's main man June Mar Fajardo will be a big hit for the Philippine Cup defending champs, Non believes the league is also getting 'more balanced.'

"The last five championships, June Mar was there, pero pag tiningnan mo 'yung laro lalo na last season, balanse na 'yung teams," Non added.

Despite Fajardo being out due to injury, Non said SMB will try to come up with some strategies that will still make them competitive.

"Kailangan talaga mag-step up 'yung team namin. Mayroon kaming konting adjustments because of June Mar's absence," Non said.

"Hopefully, Mo Tautuaa can fill up the big shoes that will be left by June Mar," he added.

With the problem they are facing, Non believes SMB just needs to do some tweaks to compensate Fajardo's loss.

"This is the first time na kami ngayon ang ganito. Still, naniniwala pa rin ako na we can come up with something kahit wala si June Mar. We can [still] be competitive especially now that we have some adjustments that we're doing. Hopefully, it will work." — BAP, GMA News