It started at the Mall of Asia Arena in 2013. It ended there 13 years later — just the way June Mar Fajardo wanted it.
After 13 years and 70 FIBA appearances, Fajardo has retired from national team duties.
There was no grand ceremony, no jersey retirement, and no elaborate send-off.
Instead, after Gilas Pilipinas’ 68-56 victory over Iran in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Fajardo was simply handed the game ball before taking center court to wave goodbye to the Filipino fans.
It was a fitting and understated farewell for the 6-foot-10 Cebuano, who had made it clear that he wanted to quietly step away from national team duty.
Fajardo played seven minutes in his final game for Gilas, finishing with six points and two rebounds.
And fittingly, it all came full circle at the very same venue where his national team journey began.
Fajardo made his Gilas debut in 2013 during the FIBA Asia Championship for Men, held at the MOA Arena.
What followed was a 13-year journey that took him across numerous countries and to three FIBA World Cups.
He first represented the Philippines at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain, before returning for the 2019 edition in China and the 2023 World Cup, which the Philippines co-hosted.
Along the way, Fajardo became a fixture of one of the most successful eras in Philippine basketball, helping Gilas win silver at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship and bronze at the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup.
Beyond his FIBA campaigns, he also helped the Philippines capture gold at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and the 2022 Asian Games.
His retirement also closes the chapter on the ‘Puso’ era of Gilas, with Japeth Aguilar having retired from the national team during Window 1 last December at the Blue Eagle Gym.
After more than a decade of service, Fajardo now leaves Gilas in good hands, with Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Mike Phillips carrying the Philippines’ frontline into the next era.
