Barangay Ginebra San Miguel managed to neutralize nine-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo in its Game 1 quarterfinal victory over the San Miguel Beermen on Tuesday, limiting him to just 3 points on 1-for-6 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds and 3 assists.
Postgame, Ginebra import Jordan Murphy offered insights into exactly how Ginebra contained The Kraken.
Fajardo’s Scouting Report on Offense and Defense
Speaking like a true basketball veteran, Murphy went into detail about how to defend Fajardo on both ends of the floor.
“On offense, you really gotta see when he’s in the paint because he’s such a rim threat,” Murphy pointed out. “Just blocking shots and being able to contest stuff at the rim at such a high level. So you really have to watch out for him there.”
“Then you need to have contact with him if we’re on defense. You always have to have your eyes on him, make sure he’s not trying to get open, post up, or get any easy touch. You’re not doubling off of him, stuff like that,” he added.
The task of bodying up Fajardo primarily belonged to Isaac Go, with Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, and even Norbert Torres all helping out as well. Murphy did his part, too, and also added 29 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 blocks.
Fajardo’s Impact on the Game
Despite helping limit Fajardo’s production, Ginebra’s 6-foot-6 import acknowledged the center’s exceptional abilities, noting that it is virtually impossible to introduce a defensive scheme that the dominant big man has never encountered before.
“You can tell that he’s really seen a lot of defenses so it’s really hard to throw something at him that he’s never seen before,” he said. “Super experienced, you can tell that he’s skilled, so we’ve gotta be able to lock in on him for the rest of the series and see what the outcome is.”
Murphy and his Ginebra teammates will get another crack at Fajardo later today when Game 2 tips off at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
