San Miguel Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo celebrates after beating Barangay Ginebra in Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

June Mar Fajardo, injury and all, delivered with plenty of help as San Miguel Beer marched on to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals with Wednesday’s comeback win over Barangay Ginebra in the deciding Game 7 of their semis series.

Fajardo overcame a scare in the second quarter when it appeared that he aggravated his injured hamstring and came up with 21 points and 19 rebounds in the Beermen’s 100-93 defeat of the Gin Kings at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 7 – Ginebra vs San Miguel

“I felt some tightness in my hamstring, but I was able to go through it. At least, I’ll be able to rest up [before the Finals],” Fajardo said in Filipino.

The reigning Most Valuable Player had been dealing with the injury since the start of the series, and there was time when his minutes had to be managed.

But Fajardo had logged significant playing time during the tailend of the semis, including Game 7 when he was perhaps most crucial on the defensive end, preventing some of Ginebra’s attempts underneath and even blocking Japeth Aguilar’s dunk try.

READ: PBA: June Mar Fajardo eyes rest, recovery but Gilas duties await

Providing complementary roles were an inspired Chris Ross, who was key on both ends on his way to 19 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and four steals, and the trio of former Adamson mainstays in Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano, and Rodney Brondial.

“Credit to Chris because he showed his veteran smarts,” Fajardo said. “Hopefully, our guards could learn from him.”

Fajardo and the Beermen now set their sights on the TNT Tropang 5G, who are gunning a historic Grand Slam in the best-of-seven series that starts Sunday at the Big Dome.