LIMITED as an observer for this window of the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers, June Mar Fajardo was quite happy to see the amount of talent, especially from the bigs that are part of this national pool.
"Malakas yung team at maganda ang pinapakita nila sa practice," he said after making a surprise appearance on Thursday to watch the Yeng Guiao-coached side prepare for the next series of games.
Greg Slaughter, Christian Standhardinger, Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, JP Erram, and Asi Taulava are all fighting for their spots to be included in Guiao's lineup for the games against Iran on September 13 in Tehran and versus Qatar on September 17 at a closed-door Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Though he would've loved to be part of the team, Fajardo is content being a booster for the squad this time out knowing what all of these frontcourt players could offer to the national team.
"Nakakapanibago kasi ang daming bago dito, pero di na sila bago sa akin kasi lagi ko silang nakakalaban sa PBA. Lahat naman sila magagaling at alam ko na makakatulong sila sa team," he said as he continued his recovery from a stress fracture on his right shin.
Fajardo also isn't rushing anything, though, knowing that as much as he'd like to play for the next window in November, what's important is getting him back in top form.
"Marami pa tayong basketball na lalaruin. Iniisip ko lang magpagaling," he said. "Sana gumaling agad ako para makabalik. Syempre nakakainis na wala kang gingagawa sa bahay lang, nakahiga at nagpapahinga."
"Ako naman, buo pa rin ang suporta ko sa kanila dahil part pa rin ako ng team na ito."
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