MANILA, Philippines – Nine-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo has provided an honest evaluation of the league’s current power structure following a decisive 118-92 loss to the TNT Tropang Giga. The “Kraken” quickly declared the Tropang Giga the undisputed “team to beat” in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, despite the fact that the San Miguel Beermen had traditionally been the benchmark for greatness in Philippine basketball. As the mid-season conference approaches its crucial middle stage, this admission from the league’s most powerful local force highlights a dramatic change in momentum.

Fajardo’s remarks came after his first-ever on-court battle with Bol Bol, the towering import from TNT, which lived up to the intense anticipation. The 7-foot-3 Bol’s length and perimeter mobility proved to be a tactical conundrum that the Beermen were unable to overcome, despite Fajardo’s typically excellent double-double of 15 points and 20 rebounds. Bol anchored a TNT offense that ignited early and never looked back, finishing the game with 34 points and 18 rebounds. “You have to give credit where it’s due,” Fajardo said in a post-game interview. Fajardo saw the loss as more than just a statistical setback; it was a recognition that TNT had effectively incorporated a “unicorn” skill into an already disciplined championship system. “They have a new dimension when Bol Bol is present, and they are playing at a very high level. They are unquestionably the squad to defeat right now.” Fajardo admires the Tropang Giga for their flawless performance in addition to their star power. Fajardo and the San Miguel frontline were forced into awkward defensive rotations by TNT’s ability to spread the floor, which was demonstrated by their scorching 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc in the first quarter alone. The Tropang Giga had already taken a commanding 19-point lead by the time the Beermen made adjustments, and they would hold it until the very end.

Fajardo, a player who has successfully navigated numerous championship clashes against the TNT franchise, lends considerable weight to the “Team to Beat” designation. He pointed out that the Tropang Giga’s depth, which includes players like Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (13 points) and Calvin Oftana (18 points), makes them a multidimensional threat that goes beyond individual skill. The Beermen’s current task is to absorb this “wake-up call” and figure out how to counteract the speed and duration that TNT used to undermine their interior-focused strategy. Although TNT is presently leading the way, Fajardo stressed that the season is long and San Miguel’s seasoned core is accustomed to mid-conference adjustments.

From a tactical standpoint, the game offered a model for how rivals could try to challenge the Beermen’s established dominance. San Miguel’s half-court sets were successfully nullified by TNT’s “5G” concept, which is defined by quick ball movement and relentless perimeter pressure. For a defender of his quality, Fajardo said that he occasionally found himself out of position while attempting to account for Bol’s shooting range. This tactical evolution is precisely why Fajardo views TNT as the gold standard of the 2026 conference; they have managed to blend the physical requirements of the PBA with a modern, high-speed approach that puts a premium on versatility.

The league will probably feel the psychological effects of Fajardo’s support when the standings start to settle. The other members of the PBA pay attention when the “Kraken” recognizes a rival as the greater force. For TNT, the challenge is now maintaining that “target on their back” as they look to build on their 2-1 record. For San Miguel, currently sitting at 1-2, the focus shifts to a Tuesday encounter with the Macau Black Knights, where they hope to begin the long climb back toward the top of the standings.

June Mar Fajardo’s assessment of the TNT Tropang Giga serves as a respectful nod to a rival that is firing on all cylinders. The Commissioner’s Cup has found its pace-setter, and the road to the title officially runs through the “Tropang 5G.” While Bol Bol may be the headline attraction, Fajardo’s comments remind us that it is TNT’s collective discipline and tactical innovation that truly makes them the team everyone else is chasing. The “Kraken” has spoken, and the hunt for the championship has never been more intense.