Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

No time to sulk for June Mar Fajardo as Haddadi, Iran await


Pain filled June Mar Fajardo’s eyes after Gilas Pilipinas’ tough home loss to Kazakhstan, Friday evening.

As he left the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the 6-foot-10 big man could not help but think of the what-if’s and the what-could-have-been’s.

“Nag-help ako nung part ng game na yun,” the 29-year-old recalled about the last play.

With 12.7 seconds left and Kazakhstan leading by two, the visitors’ floor general Rustam Yergali drove through the lane. Instead of staying with his man, Fajardo decided to help out Yergali’s defender. That split-second proved to be the difference, as Yergali was able to dish it out to Anton Bykov for the dagger.

It was just that kind of night for Gilas.

Midway through the final frame, Fajardo and Gilas were able to get the breaks their way. After the four-time Most Valuable Player in the PBA missed a free throw, a Kazakh player tapped it too early, resulting in a goaltending call to give Gilas a two-point edge.

But Gilas could not sustain ride their momentum, as Kazakhstan’s bigs proved too fast for the Filipinos.

Gilas-vs.-Kazakhstan-Fajardo-0697 No time to sulk for June Mar Fajardo as Haddadi, Iran await 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Basketball Gilas Pilipinas News  - philippine sports news

And that happened every time they attempted a run during the 40-minute affair.

“Sobrang mahirap kasi dami nilang tres na napasok,” admitted Fajardo, who had 14 points and 13 rebounds in the game.

With the loss and Japan’s win earlier in the day, Gilas cannot afford any more losses in their last three games. But in two days, Iran will pay a visit – a team that defeated them back in September 13, 73-81.

Which is why Fajardo and the rest of Gilas need to move on after this loss; just absorb the lessons from this then move on.

#ReadMore  UE cruises to 3rd straight win after wire-to-wire win over FEU

“Two days na lang at Iran naman. Masakit, masakit, lalo na nasa homecourt tayo. Lesson learned,” he expressed.

“Yun nga, hindi namin puwede i-down mga sarili natin dahil sa pagkatalong ito, hindi natin pwedeng dalhin yung sama ng loob sa game sa Monday – mas lalong maapektuhan tayo.”

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

San Miguel has clinched the No. 1 seed entering the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinals following a 126-91 crushing of a NorthPort side...

Basketball

Schonny Winston and the Converge FiberXers held off a furious second-half rally by the San Miguel Beermen to escape with a thrilling 100-97 victory,...

Basketball

San Miguel scored a crucial victory in its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup, fending off Rain or Shine,...

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

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

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

Basketball

What was expected by many to be a grindout affair between two PBA Philippine Cup favorites turned out to be a snoozefest instead as...

Advertisement