June Mar Fajardo undergoes throat surgery, out for a few games

June Mar Fajardo underwent throat surgery just the other day and is expected to miss San Miguel’s upcoming games.

The 6-foot-10 Cebuano sustained the injury after being on the receiving end of an inadvertent elbow from Rain or Shine import Steve Taylor Jr. during their meeting last Sunday at the Philsports Arena.

The Beermen won the match, 113-015, thanks to a big bounce back game from Diamond Stone who erupted for 42 points in addition to 13 boards and 3 assists. The league’s winningest franchise will be carrying an even 1-1 record going into Sunday’s clash with the Bay Area Dragons.

“Successful naman yung surgery niya, pero bawal pa siya magsalita. Voice rest muna,” said SMB physical therapist Edward Bacason.

Fajardo, who has been prohibited by his doctors to talk at the moment, is in high spirts after the successful operation. For now, the league’s one and only 6-time MVP communicates either through sign language or a via hand-written note, according to Bacason.

Despite being in pain, SMB’s main man still managed to finish the match and submit a statline of 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in the emotionally-charged encounter which saw Rain or Shine center Beau Belga get ejected for a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 on Stone.

Fajardo was immediately rushed to the hospital by team management after his voice became hoarse.