14 SPORTS
VOL. 6 ISSUE 145 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4-5, 2013
Junmar: Strides to dominance F
oR the past year, Petron veteran Danny ildefonso has been working with June Mar Fajardo to try to hone the rookie center into becoming one of the best big men in the league. on Wednesday, Fajardo dominated for 26 points and 14 rebounds, playing the best game of his young PBA career to carry Petron to victory in Game Two of the Governors’ cup semifinals over Rain or Shine. And no one was happier about his great performance than his mentor. “At least nakikita nung bata yung bunga ng hard work na ginagawa niya,” ildefonso told interAKTV in an exclusive interview.
“Nakakataba ng puso yun.” A two-time Most Valuable Player, ildefonso has been content to ride the pine for Petron while taking on a teaching role for Fajardo. He is one of the young player’s biggest boosters, even predicting a league MVP for Fajardo in the next few years. With his play in the last two games — he had 15 points and 17 rebounds in the series opener — Fajardo is making ildefonso look like a genius. “Kailangang maging maganda yung laro niya dahil masipag siya. Madalas siya yung talagang nagyaya na mag-extra workout and one-on-
one kami,” said ildefonso, who said even bigger things are in store for Fajardo. “Hindi lang yan ang maipapakita niya, marami pa.” ildefonso described Fajardo as the ideal student. “Nakikinig kasi siya at magaling sumunod,” said ildefonso. in the series against Rain or Shine, ildefonso has made sure to prepare Fajardo for battle against the elasto Painters’ physical frontline, particularly Beau Belga. “Hinahanda ko siya kung ano yung dapat i-expect sa series kaya sa one-on-one kasama sa amin yung banggaan,” said ildefonso.
D
citement the Presidents cup has delivered in recent years was Woody Austin falling into the water, Robert Allenby accusing Anthony Kim of a big night out on the town in San Francisco (which looked even
worse after Kim clobbered him in singles) and Tiger Woods having to face his old caddie in an opening match just weeks after caddie Steve Williams made a racially insensitive comment about him.
Internationals want to make it close
UBliN, ohio (AP) -- The status of the Presidents cup can be measured by one of the top goals for the international team. it just wants it to be close. About the only ex-
SOFT TOUCH. June Mar Fajardo of Petron shows off a soft touch as he goes up with a one-hander over Arizona Reid and Beau Belga of Rain or Shine during the PBA Governors Cup semifinals won by Petron. Nuki Sabio
EDGEDAVAO