After postponing his supposed retirement from Gilas Pilipinas, June Mar Fajardo shared that the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers’ fourth window on August 28 and 30 might very well be his final two games for the national team.
All signs point to the end of an era for The Kraken in the Philippine men’s national basketball team jersey, as he also revealed that he will not be playing in the Asian Games.
The Nationals will face Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30 as they begin their uphill climb in Group E with a 2-4 win-loss record.
“Posible. Posibleng last two games ko na ito sa national team,” said Fajardo during Gilas’ press conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Monday.
“Marami namang players sa Asian Games, so ibibigay ko na lang yung spot ko sa iba para ma-experience naman nila, kasi na-experience ko na yung Asian Games,” he added.
Fajardo has been a constant force in the paint for Gilas Pilipinas since the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, playing in 14 FIBA tournaments, including three World Cups.
The nine-time PBA MVP also opened up on why he is contemplating retirement from the national team and the circumstances that led him to this point.
“Sobrang blessed ko nga na nakabalik ulit ako kasi after nung nabali ‘yung tibia ko, naputol ‘yung tibia ko, inisip ko nga na hindi na ako makakabalik sa basketball. Na even sa PBA, hindi na ako makakabalik kasi yun yung lowest of the lowest ko,” said the 6-foot-11 center, recalling the complete fracture of his right tibia in February 2020.
“So, ayun, nabigyan ako ng second chance. Sobrang blessed ako na mapasali ulit sa national team. Nakasali pa ako sa Asian Games at nanalo ng gold. Sobrang blessed ako. Naka World Cup pa ako after yung incident na yun,” he continued, looking back on his two-year battle to return to the hardcourt.
However, Fajardo clarified that his heart still belongs to basketball and that he will continue playing in the PBA. But he is now willing to give way to the younger players in Gilas Pilipinas, who are aiming for a spot in the 2027 World Cup.
The other big men in the 15-man pool for the fourth window are Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, Justine Baltazar, and Justin Arana.
“Ngayon, ayaw kong isagad yung katawan ko. Pag nafi-feel ko na may masakit sa akin, hindi ko pupuwersahin. Gusto ko pang maglaro ng basketball. Nag-e-enjoy pa ako maglaro ng basketball. Pero hindi ko ma-enjoy yan kung may masakit na iniinda,” said the 12-time PBA champion.
“Sa national team, mahirap yung sa national team kasi high level talaga yung competition. Ibigay ko yung spot ko sa iba na lang, sa iba. Nakikita ko naman, marami naman [pwede] like Justin (Arana), sobrang taas ng potential na mapabilang sa national team. Sobrang bright future sa national team.”
