June Mar Fajardo gets no rest as he joins Gilas Pilipinas training ahead of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel needed a miracle to defeat the San Miguel Beermen in Game 6 of their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, July 6 — and they got it from the league’s very own “Iron Man,” LA Tenorio.

Barangay Ginebra stunned San Miguel, 88–87, coming from behind as Tenorio drained a game-winning three-pointer to complete a dramatic victory. The 40-year-old veteran changed the course of the game after coming off the bench in the fourth quarter to score 11 points — including the clutch shot with 3.1 seconds left on the clock.

San Miguel dominated large stretches of the game and were leading thanks to the performance of record eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) June Mar Fajardo, who led from the front with a double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds. He received strong support from Rodney Brondial, who chipped in 12 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

#WATCH: June Mar Fajardo laments San Miguel’s collapse in Game 6 of the #PBA2025 semis 🏀

📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/kb9r1NOxLw

— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) July 6, 2025

Fajardo would have gladly taken the win, as it would have given him more time to rest, considering he is still recovering from a right calf strain. However, that won’t be possible, as he now has to suit up for the do-or-die Game 7 of the Philippine Cup semifinals and also join the Philippine men’s national basketball team for training on Monday, July 7, as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.

“It’s a Game 7, so we need to rest now and prepare ourselves. Sayang ‘tong game. We were already there, but we had our lapses. I will go to Gilas practice. We can’t do anything about that because that’s needed. I’ll try to rest and forget about the game today. We will have a viewing tomorrow before practice,” Fajardo said in a media interaction.

The 35-year-old is the favorite to add another accolade to his already bulging trophy cabinet, currently leading the race for a record-extending 12th PBA Best Player of the Conference award after topping the statistical rankings at the end of the ongoing Philippine Cup elimination round.

San Miguel will need their star center at his best once again, as the best-of-seven semifinal series is now tied at 3–3. The do-or-die Game 7 — a winner-takes-all clash — is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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