For all his importance to the Gilas Pilipinas program today, Kai Sotto could not help but fanboy over June Mar Fajardo’s final game with the national team.
Sotto was just 11 years old when Fajardo first made the Gilas lineup back in 2013.
Thirteen years later, Sotto was not only Fajardo’s teammate in his final game for the Philippines but also his direct successor as the country’s next premier big man.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa idol ko, idol ng lahat, si Kuya June, sa napakagandang career niya para sa national team,” said Sotto on Sunday.
“Inaalay namin itong panalo na ito para sa kanya.”
Gilas Pilipinas gave Fajardo a storybook ending, trouncing Iran, 68-56, inside a packed SM Mall of Asia Arena to complete a perfect home stand in the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Sotto once again dominated in the paint, finishing with 13 points and 16 rebounds to help Gilas secure the win that also served as Fajardo’s swan song with the national team.
“Sobrang swerte, sobrang blessed na nung bata ako, tinitingala ko si Kuya June and sobrang idol ko yan. Sobrang blessed ako na naging part ako ng career niya sa national team and gustong-gusto ko talagang manalo para kay Kuya June,” said the 24-year-old Sotto, who stands 7-foot-3.
Despite playing just seven minutes and five seconds off the bench, Fajardo still left his mark against Team Melli.
The nine-time PBA MVP was first inserted by head coach Tim Cone with 3:41 left in the second quarter, replacing Sotto, and immediately made an impact. He scored all six of his points in the period, helping turn a 21-29 deficit into a 36-34 halftime lead for the Philippines.
Fajardo used his 6-foot-11 frame to punish Iran’s defenders, scoring on a post move and drawing two trips to the free-throw line, where he converted all four of his attempts.
Watching that signature Fajardo takeover from the bench, Sotto could only say:
“June Mar Fajardo yan eh. Yun lang ang masasabi ko.”
