San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA — San Miguel center June Mar Fajardo’s height and might are set to be tested again in the PBA championship stage.

The seven-time league MVP will be going up against the Meralco Bolts and their frontline in the 2024 Philippine Cup Finals, a matchup that will be happening for the first time.

And while he is expected to take charge for the Beermen as they gun for their 30th title in the league, Fajardo said that what will work wonders for the Jorge Gallent-mentored team is the collective effort from all of their players.

"'Di naman totoo yun eh, na ako yung [focal] point ng defense nila," said the 6-foot-10 Fajardo during the Philippine Cup Finals press conference on Monday afternoon.

"Yung San Miguel, sobrang daming scorer. Lahat ng ipapasok ni coach, pwedeng mag score. Ako, gagawin ko lahat ng maitutulong ko sa team. Kung kailangan ko mag score, ta-try ko yung best ko maka-score," he added. 

Fajardo admitted that he feels somewhat overwhelmed as he is set to bang bodies with the Bolts frontline that features young stud Brandon Bates. The former La Salle center made waves when he swatted a career-high of six shots in Meralco’s do-or-die Game 7 against Barangay Ginebra last Friday in Batangas.

Meralco’s Brandon Bates. Photo from PBA Images.

"Siyempre, kinakabahan ako. Ang ganda ng nilalaro ni Brandon eh, lalo nung Game 7 nila. Malaki yung potensyal ng bata, at lagi siyang go hard. Yun yung kagandahan sa kanya," said JMF of the 6-foot-9, former De La Salle Green Archer

"Ako, gagawin ko lang yung best ko. Tutulungan ko yung team na manalo," he continued, while also hailing one of his possible matchups in his fellow veteran big Raymond Almazan.

Meralco’s Raymond Almazan and Cliff Hodge. Photo from PBA Images.

"Si Raymond, tropa ko 'yon eh. Gugulpihin ko yun," Fajardo quipped of the 6-foot-7, former Letran Knights star.

"Magaling 'yon si Raymond. Hindi mo siya dapat basta-basta babaliwalain. Sobrang taas ng percentage niya sa three-points, sa perimeter, niya, tapos mahaba din sya eh."

"Kaya niyang dumepensa, kaya niya rin mag score. Magiging maganda yung series na 'to, bakbakan. Alam naman natin kung paano maglaro yung Meralco, go hard talaga sila, at sila yung No.1 sa depensa," he added.

Fajardo will start to work his way in the paint against Bates, Almazan, and the rest of Meralco’s bigs on Wednesday, June 5, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.