BARRING unforeseen hitches, San Miguels’ top player JuneMar Fajardo will play for the Philippine Gilas squad that will see action in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament which the country is hosting at the Mall of Asia Arena in July.
“One hundred percent maglalaro ako sa Gilas. As long as walang injury, hindi lang sa akin, pati sa lahat ng players na involved sa Gilas. Sana walang injury along the way,” said the recent PBA Best Player of the Conference awardee.
The 6-10 behemoth was not fully healed from his injury but still played starting in Game 5 of the season-ending conference to lead San Miguel to a historic rise from 0-3 deficit on the way to the Championship at the expense of Alaska Milk.
For that and his consistency throughout the year, the Cebuano slotman was cited as major awardee for basketball by the Philippine Sportswriters Association.
“Ipagdasal natin na walang injury and kakayanin natin. Syempre mabigat ang laban pero I am excited and looking forward talaga na makapaglaro,” Fajardo told The Standard during the recent PSA Awards night at One Esplanade.
Citing injury, Fajardo, and other marquee players, were not included in the Gilas Team that placed runner to China in the FIBA Asia Championship in Changsa last year.
Fajardo heads the list of 17 pro players requested by Gilas coach Tab Baldwin from the PBA for release to the national team. Others include Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, Marcio Lassiter, LA Tenorio and Paul Lee.
Also in the list are rookie Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes, Jeff Chan, Ian Sangalang and holdovers Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, Gabe Norwood, Marc Pingris, Ranidel De Ocampo, Matt Ganuelas-Rasser and Jason Castro.
Officials of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, led by president Manny Pangilinan, also hope to bring back NBA veteran Andrei Blatche as naturalized player as well as Fil-American sensation Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Philippines is hoping to join the last ride to the Rio Olympics in August via the Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament on July 5-10 with the Gilas going up against the world no. 5 and Tony Parker-powered France, New Zealand, Turkey, Canada and Senegal, the only team they beat in the FIBA World Cup in Spain last year.
“Walang imposible as long as magtulungan kami,” said Fajardo, who hopes to use the historic triumph of his San Miguel Beer in the recent Philipine Cup as an inspiration for Gilas.
As for his Beermen’s campaign in the current, Commissioner’s Cup, Fajardo said they will continue to inspire one another and aspire for more improvement as a team.
“Sana makakakuha pa kami championship this season. Hindi kami makukuntento sa achievement namin. Kailangan pa improve this conference. Hindi madali, pero magtatrabaho kami nang husto,” said Fajardo.