PBA: June Mar Fajardo says multiple import changes contributed to San Miguel's early exit

San Miguel’s usually deep playoff run ended prematurely after the Beermen bowed to Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, with June Mar Fajardo pointing to the team’s multiple import changes as one of the factors behind their early exit.

"Siguro. Nakakaapekto rin ‘yun sa amin, sa chemistry namin," Fajardo told reporters at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

"Pero gano’n talaga, hindi maiiwasan ‘yun. Nakakalungkot man, pahinga na lang muna. Bawi na lang next conference."

San Miguel had the most import adjustments this conference.

The powerhouse club opened the conference with import Marcus Lee, who played in three games that saw San Miguel lose to Titan Ultra by seven points, narrowly escape Converge, and then absorb a 26-point defeat to TNT.

That prompted the Beermen to part ways with Lee and bring in Justin Patton, who helped San Miguel notch back-to-back victories over Macau and Barangay Ginebra before suffering a 116-112 loss to Rain or Shine.

That, however, turned out to be Patton’s final game with the team after the 6-foot-11 import was a no-show in their next outing against Magnolia, which resulted in another loss for San Miguel.

The Beermen then turned to a familiar face in Bennie Boatwright, who helped steer the squad to four wins in its last five elimination-round games.

Still, the Beermen’s third import change ultimately proved costly as San Miguel once again fell to the Elasto Painters — this time in the quarterfinals — to crash out of the conference.

"Wala, talo talaga. Congratulations sa Rain or Shine, ang ganda nu’ng conference nila. And kami naman, gusto man naming manalo, gano’n talaga ang basketball," Fajardo added.

"Hindi naman natin makukuha lahat ng panalo eh. Titingnan na lang namin ‘yung three conferences, two out of three, so not bad na ‘yun. Bounce back kami next conference."

—JKC, GMA News