JUNE Mar Fajardo could be nearing the end of his Gilas Pilipinas career, with the veteran center saying the Philippines’ upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers games may be his final appearances for the national team.
The San Miguel Beermen center said he is considering stepping away from Gilas after the August window and giving his spot to younger players who will compete in the 2026 Asian Games.
“Posible nga iyung last two games ko na para sa national team. Marami naman players sa Asian Games so bibigyan ko na lang iyung spot ko sa iba pa. Ma-experience naman nila,” Fajardo said.
The 36-year-old Cebuano center also welcomed the return of Kai Sotto, whom he believes will provide a major boost to the national team’s campaign.
“Sobrang laking addition si Kai talaga sa atin. Siya iyung magse-save sa atin sa mga games natin. So laking bagay talaga meron tayo Kai Sotto sa team,” he said.
Gilas and Beermen teammate Jaymar Perez admitted he was surprised by Fajardo’s decision, saying the veteran center could still play in two more World Cups.
“Actually nagulat ako na gusto niya mag-retire. Pang-dalawang World Cup pa iyun eh. Pero ang grateful na and honored na nakasama ko si June Mar dito sa Gilas,” Perez said.
Perez also expressed hope that Fajardo would remain healthy throughout the current qualifying window and the Asian Games.
“Bigyan niya muna pa ng championship pa. I hope na maging healthy siya throughout this window and Asian Games. I’m so proud na daming napagdaanan ni June Mar, injuries, ups and downs, pero he’s still here,” added Perez.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone, however, revealed that Fajardo had already announced his intention to retire from Philippine team after the previous qualifying window.
Cone said Fajardo delivered an emotional speech to his teammates in the locker room following the Philippines’ game against Australia, informing them of his plans to step away from the national team.
“Yeah, I don’t know if it got caught on in the press, but after the last window, after the Australian game, he gave a long speech in the locker room about how he was going to retire from Gilas. It was similar to what Jap(eth Aguilar) had done previously the year before,” Cone said.
While the players thanked Fajardo for his service, Cone said he was not ready to let the veteran big man walk away.
“I was happy for him. Players were slapping him on the shoulders, thanking him and everything. But I was thinking at the same time, he ain’t retiring, I’m not letting him retire,” Cone said.
Cone explained that the coaching staff later appealed to Fajardo to return, particularly after it became clear that the Philippines would need his size and experience against Asian opponents.
“We felt that at this level, when we’re playing true Asian teams, he’s a Middle Eastern team, we’re not playing Oceania teams, we feel June Mar can make a bigger impact on teams like this,” Cone said.
Gilas team manager Alfrancis Chua was tasked with convincing Fajardo to rejoin the national team.
“Coach Al Chua was the one that went to him and asked him to rejoin the team. We’re really appreciative of him continuing to make that extra effort,” Cone added.
Cone acknowledged the physical toll of Fajardo’s long career and heavy workload with San Miguel, but praised the veteran for continuing to answer the call of the national team.
“He’s been playing a long time, he plays a lot of minutes at San Miguel. He’s beat up, but he’s still coming in and joining us and giving us his best. No one appreciates June Mar more than me,” Cone said. “I really love the guy. I love that he sacrifices to keep coming here and playing.”
Fajardo is expected to play a key role for Gilas in the crucial August window, where the Philippines faces Jordan and Iran in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. (Adrian Co)
