NO grand farewell, no ceremonies, just one more game to play in a Gilas Pilipinas jersey.
No fuss. Just like that, the PBA's greatest player and one of Gilas' most loyal soldiers over the past decade bowed out of the international scene.
“Ito na talaga, ramdam ko na sa sarili ko, sa katawan ko… last ko na talaga ’to. Ginawa ko na 'yung buong magagawa ko,” he told sportswriters after Gilas closed out a perfect window in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
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Yet the basketball gods still conspired to make it a memorable curtain call. Not only did Gilas sweep games against Iran and Jordan, the veteran big man also got to feel the love of home fans who knew exactly what the night meant for 'The Kraken'.
He checked into the game in the second quarter and immediately became a spark plug for Gilas. He made a play that sent the Mall of Asia Arena into a frenzy. MVP chants were heard.
“When he got the ball and made that turn, that was huge. The crowd went crazy and that gave us a lift going into halftime,” Tim Cone said of Fajardo's six-point second quarter after the game.
For Fajardo, it was one of the moments he wanted to remember from his final game in a Gilas jersey.
“Ito na ’yon. Last ko na talaga ’to. Ginawa ko na nga yung buong magagawa ko. Gusto ko i-cherish last game ko,” Abai said.
And the fans made sure he felt just how much he meant to them.
“Thankful ako sa mga fans na sumusuporta talaga sa national team and sa akin,” said Fajardo.
So he planned to keep a piece of the night.
“Ito ipapa-frame ko ’to, itong lahat ng suot ko. Lalagyan ko ng 'last game,'” he shared.
And perhaps the best part of his goodbye was getting to do it in the same arena where he has spent so much of his Gilas career fighting for flag and country.
“Nakakatuwa, dito ako magre-retire sa homecourt. Ginawa ko best ko, binigay ko best ko, nirepresent ko yung bansa sa abot ng makakaya ko.”
Take a bow, Abai.
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