Let's get physical: Fajardo, Belga fire shots in psy war

MANILA, Philippines – Junemar Fajardo got away with 15 points that went along with 17 rebounds and two shot blocks and some body pain in helping the Petron Blaze Boosters to a 91-83 win over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game One last Monday.

The Petron Blaze rookie center got the bulk of his points from the free throw line courtesy of Beau Belga’s five hard fouls.

Fajardo complained about a pain at the back of his head right after the game on Monday.

“Sino nakatama sa akin dito? Sobrang sakit eh nung natumba ako,” the 6-10 Petron rookie told Philstar.com while pointing at the back of his head.

He continued to complain about the physicality of Rain or Shine’s defense, a tough assignment which Beau Belga and his Extra Rice Inc. partner JR Quinahan drew from coach Yeng Guiao.

“Sobrang pisikal nasasaktan na nga ako eh,” Fajardo added.

But he was quick to dismiss it as just part of the game.

“Okay lang yun, part yun ng game.   So trabaho lang pero pag sa labas, wala naman yun, friends kami,” said Fajardo of Belga, who was his teammate in the Gilas Pilipinas.  

Belga fired back saying that they are just trying to contain him in the best way they can and what is allowed by the rules.

“Semis na eh. Ganun talaga. Every level, tumataas din ang physicality,” Belga told Philstar.com.

“Kung ayaw niya masaktan, maglaro na lang siya ng chess. It’s part of being a basketball player. Hindi naman namin siya sinasaktan na sinusuntok,” added Belga who still finished with seven points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal despite battling foul trouble.

Belga may look like has the advantage in heft but in reality, he is not. Aside from Fajardo dwarfing his Gilas teammate by five to six inches, he also outweighs him by more than 50 lbs.

The burly rain or Shine center weighs only around 225 lbs with some fats compared to Fajardo’s 269 lbs of pure muscle.

“Eh ang laki laki niya eh. Kung ako ganun kalaki, hindi ako magrereklamo na nasasaktan ako. Mas masakit ang nararamdaman ng binabangga niya kaysa sa bumabangga sa kaniya,” Belga fired back.  

Even Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao defended Belga’s physical defense on the Petron rookie.

“Tinatawagan nga eh. Limang foul nga si Beau tapos sampung free throws [si Fajardo]. Ganun talaga, pisikal. Tinatawagan ng mga refs, sa amin nga di tinatawagan eh,” the fiery coach told Philstar.com.

“I don’t think he has a reason to complain.”

Tonight, Belga and Fajardo meet again in what is expected to be a more physical battle down low. 

Watch the video of Junemar Fajardo and Beau Belga here.