The Kraken Awakens: Fajardo Fuels Beermen as Pivotal Game 5 vs Ginebra Looms

by Cristian Andal

San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo (15). Photo: PBA Media Bureau

The beast is back. And just in time.

June Mar Fajardo, the six-time MVP and heart of the San Miguel Beermen, roared back to full form in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals—restoring fire, focus, and dominance to a San Miguel squad hungry for another trip to the finals. Now, with the series tied at 2-2, the battle with archrival Barangay Ginebra turns into a race to two—and Game 5 on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum is shaping up to be a heavyweight classic.

“Wala nang injury,” Fajardo confidently declared. No more holding back. No more minute restrictions. And judging by his massive double-double in the Beermen’s 107-82 blowout win in Game 4, there’s no doubt: The Kraken is unleashed.

Fajardo not only returned to the starting unit, but also anchored a stunning 30-12 third-quarter run, where he teamed up with CJ Perez, Juami Tiongson, and Rodney Brondial to drop a devastating 17-0 barrage that ripped the game wide open. After trailing 51-50 at halftime, SMB flipped the switch—and never looked back.

Coach Leo Austria credited his star center’s renewed energy and leadership as the catalyst. “After that tough Game 3 loss, JMF told me, ‘Coach, I need to start.’ That told me everything. You could see it—the mindset, the intensity, the swagger. It was a different June Mar,” Austria said.

The momentum swing couldn’t have come at a better time. A loss in Game 4 would’ve put San Miguel on the brink of elimination. Instead, the series resets, and the Beermen are back in full stride.

On the other side, Ginebra will need to regroup quickly. Despite a strong first half in Game 4, Coach Tim Cone’s squad collapsed under SMB’s third-quarter avalanche, struggling to keep pace once San Miguel dialed up the pressure on both ends.

Still, the Kings know it’s far from over. With two games left to decide who advances to face the winner between TNT Tropang Giga and Rain or Shine, both teams are treating Game 5 as a virtual do-or-die.

This isn’t just a semifinal—it’s a showdown between dynasties, a clash of champions, and a battle of pride. And now that Fajardo is fully back, the stakes just got a lot higher.

Game 5. Friday night. Big Dome. Beermen. Gin Kings. Tied at 2.

It doesn’t get better than this.