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San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo. PBA Images.

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Fajardo, San Miguel focused on solving free-throw woes

Rom Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:932px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/020324_PBA_SMB_June Mar Fajardo.jpg" style="width:932px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo. <em id="isPasted">PBA Images.</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA —Even after a win, the San Miguel Beermen are still focused on what they need to improve. </p><p>Their latest win on Friday came at the expense of the Magnolia Hotshots, 103-95, in Game 1 of the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner&#x27;s Cup Finals.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/2/2/pba-boatwright-perez-take-charge-as-smb-escapes-magnolia-in-game-1-2234">PBA: Boatwright, Perez take charge as SMB escapes Magnolia in Game 1</a></div><p>Though they are just three games away from winning the crown, San Miguel remains wary of a Magnolia squad that has been the best in the league since the PBA on Tour in the preseason.</p><p>After being down by 20, the Hotshots made a late-game fightback and got to as close as five, 100-95, with only a minute and a half left in the contest.</p><p>Magnolia’s shock troopers were responsible for this, as seldom-used Russel Escoto, Joseph Eriobu, Jed Mendoza, and their other reserves led a huge fight back after facing a 94-74 deficit.</p><p>That is why San Miguel Superstar June Mar Fajardo hailed the efforts of Chito Victolero’s team and how they cut SMB’s lead in a short period of time. </p><p>“Ganda nga ng game nila, crucial yung stretch na yun,” said the seven-time PBA MVP who was still getting his knees iced an hour after the game.</p><p>“Pero buti nakuha namin yung panalo,” he added.</p><p>A vital reason why the Hotshots were able to climb back was the Beermen’s performance from the 15-foot foul line, and that is the thing that they still wanted to improve on after they fended off and escaped Magnolia.</p><p>“Maaga kami bukas. Sa free-throw kami [magfo-focus],” revealed the nine-time PBA titlist.</p><p>The Beermen had shot themselves in the foot by missing 17 of their 44 attempts from the line. </p><p>Fajardo himself missed four as he went three-of-seven, while his teammates Jericho Cruz, CJ Perez, and Jeron Teng either went blank or 1-of-2 from the line in the last minute of play.</p><p>“Mintis ako ata ng lima? Crucial yung free throws eh, lalo na sa end game,” said ‘The Kraken’, who also had 11 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in the game. </p><p>“Pinagalitan nga kami ni coach kasi ang dami naming mintis,” he added.</p><p>Aside from this, SMB is also looking to match Magnolia’s energy, especially the one that they showed during their fourth-quarter climb, as they hope to deliver another strong punch for them to go up 2-0 in the series. </p><p>“Basta nanalo kami, yun yung importante. Sabi nga ni coach, yung panalo na ‘to, itabi na namin to,” said the four-time Finals MVP. </p><p>“Focus kami sa Game 2. For sure, mag go-go hard sila, gusto nilang mag-bounce back, so dapat ready kami dun.”</p><p>The second game of the Finals series will be on February 4, 6:15 PM, at the MOA Arena. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="2949927"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script></div>

<p>Just like the elite squad that they are, the San Miguel Beermen are still focusing on what to improve on after they just got off a victory.</p>

Just like the elite squad that they are, the San Miguel Beermen are still focusing on what to improve on after they just got off a victory.