Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

June Mar Fajardo sets new FIBA career-high at expense of Chinese Taipei — again


When June Mar Fajardo made his debut on the international stage last November 2017 in the opening window of the FIBA World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers, it was at the expense of Quincy Davis and Chinese Taipei.

In Gilas’ 90-83 come-from-behind win that time, the 6-foot-10 slotman played a major role. There, Fajardo scored a FIBA career-high of 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting along with eight rebounds in over 23 minutes of action.

The Taiwanese waited for seven long months to exact revenge on Gilas and, of course, on Fajardo. This time around, the odds had been in their favor, as they will be playing the Filipino dribblers with the hostile crowd on their side.

Unfortunately, history repeated itself.

Fajardo continued to be the thorn in the side of Chinese Taipei on Friday evening, scoring a new FIBA career-best of 22 points on an excellent 9-of-12 shooting to steer Gilas to its most impressive win by far in the Qualifiers, 93-71.

One of those truly impressed is Gilas head coach Chot Reyes.

‘With June Mar and Andray [Blatche], Taipei has to pick their poison,” said Reyes. “Either focus on June Mar, or focus on Andray.

“So when they put their best defenders on Andray, it frees up June Mar to work underneath.”

Reyes lauded the way Fajardo responded to the opposing team’s defenses, especially when Quincy Davis III was on him – back in the first window, Fajardo had put Davis into foul trouble and eventually got booted him out of the match.

#ReadMore  Some sense of relief for heavily-scrutinized Andray Blatche

“Even when they put Quincy Davis on June Mar, he still found ways to score,” said the veteran bench strategist.

“That’s a big weapon for us.”

But more than the individual outing the reigning four-time PBA Most Valuable Player, what definitely left Reyes in awe the most was the way Fajardo’s teammates were affected by his actions in such a positive way.

Gilas already had a 44-37 lead at the half, but their breakaway took place in the third quarter thanks to Fajardo. With his imposing presence inside, the Philippines was able to lead by 15, 62-47, with 3:40 to go in the frame.

“When June Mar is operating down low it opens up our shooters as well. So I don’t think its any coincidence that we started hitting our threes after June Mar started scoring inside,” said Reyes, whose wards shot 55 percent from the floor.

“He comes in and he does his job whether that means starting or coming off the bench. That’s just the culture of this team, it doesn’t matter how many minutes you get. What matters is how well or how hard you play.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

An undermanned San Miguel still proved too much for a spent Blackwater side after cruising to a 115-78 victory to regain solo third in...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – TNT leaned on its star troika in stopping the surging Rain or Shine from its tracks, 111-103, for its fourth successive victory...

Basketball

San Miguel snared solo third once more in the PBA Philippine Cup after cruising past Terrafirma, 128-89, Sunday at the Ynares Center II in...

Basketball

Roger Pogoy came alive in the fourth quarter as TNT left Meralco a frustrated bunch, 101-84, to continue turning the corner in its PBA...

Basketball

Don Trollano submitted his best showing of the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup to date as San Miguel burst the bubble of Phoenix through a...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – It was never about making any statement for Simon Enciso, even though some may have perceived otherwise. The veteran guard pulled out...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Don’t expect Mikey Williams to return soon. While he and TNT are on speaking terms anew, the club is hardly optimistic that...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Simon Enciso and Roger Pogoy dealt the killer blows from downtown as TNT thwarted San Miguel, 89-84, to finally get on board...

Advertisement