JMF’s return hits roadblock

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria bared that comebacking star June Mar Fajardo may still miss the early part of the PBA Season 46 Philippine Cup as he works his way back to form coming off a shin injury.

According to Austria, there’s been a slight bump in Fajardo’s road to recovery as the wound from the surgery on his fractured tibia (shin bone) got infected last December.

Fajardo is currently doing aqua training as part of his rehab program, still unable to join the team’s small group training sessions yet.

“I was assured by the doctor that definitely he could play in the coming season but there might be a minor delay,” Austria said after receiving the 2019 Coach of the Year during Sunday night’s PBA Press Corps Awards.

“I can’t say for sure he’d be good to go in our first game. The season is tentatively set April 9 so we don’t know yet. But we’re confident he’ll hit his training schedule. I think he can return this coming season,” he added.