MANILA, Philippines – June Mar Fajardo did not need to put up a ridiculous statline on Thursday when San Miguel Beer demolished Barangay Ginebra, 102-81, in Game 4 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After torching the Gin Kings for 33 points and 19 rebounds in Game 2, and 23 points and 16 boards in Game 3, Fajardo had a relatively pedestrian 14-point, 13-rebound effort on Thursday night. It was his second-lowest scoring output of the series, after a 9-point, 7-rebound performance in San Miguel's 102-90 win in Game 1.

"Walang problema sa akin ang scoring. Mas OK nga 'yung balanced scoring, para at the same time magkakaroon ng kumpyansa ang mga kasama ko," said the reigning four-time PBA Most Valuable Player.

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Fajardo pointed out that Ginebra doubled-team him almost as soon as he received the ball, making it difficult for him to score. But the gentle giant did a solid job of finding open teammates, and San Miguel made Ginebra pay for its defensive tactics by drilling 12 of their 25 3-point attempts.

"Buti nai-shoot namin 'yung mga tira namin sa labas," said Fajardo.

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Indeed, his low scoring was of no concern to the big man. What he regretted was that he was unable to attempt a hook shot in the game with the legendary Ramon Fernandez in attendance.

Fernandez had been a mentor to Fajardo back when the "Kraken" was still playing in Cebu, and remains a massive supporter of the current San Miguel star. "El Presidente" firmly believes that Fajardo is on track to win more MVP trophies – Fajardo already has 4, matching the record shared by Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio – and break PBA records.

Almost a year ago, Fernandez went on record saying that Fajardo would be even more dominant should he unveil a hook shot – something that he believes is already in Fajardo's arsenal.

Fajardo knows very well that Fernandez wants to see him utilize that particular shot.

"Sabi niya nga kanina, mag-hook shot ako. Pero hindi nangyari, hindi na ako naka-attempt ng second half," said Fajardo, who scored all 14 of his points in the first half, making 6-of-7 attempts before letting his teammates take charge in the second half.

"Lagi niya akong sinasabihan na dapat mag-hook shot kasi mahirap i-stop 'yun. Gusto ko, gusto ko mag-hook shot."

The San Miguel star is determined to show off this weapon in his arsenal at some point. "Soon, soon," Fajardo promised. "Maghu-hook shot din ako."

Hopefully, he can pull it off with Fernandez watching him. "El Presidente" is set to fly back to Cebu on Friday night, but plans to watch the all-Filipino finals.

San Miguel will go for the clincher against Ginebra on Saturday, with another win sending the Beermen to the best-of-7 title series where they will be gunning for a historic fourth consecutive all-Filipino championship.

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