JUNE Mar Fajardo confirmed that the coming August window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers will likely be his last for Gilas Pilipinas.
“Posibleng last two games ko na ‘to sa national team,” Fajardo said on Monday during a press conference with Gilas Pilipinas personalities.
Fajardo was referring to Gilas Pilipinas’ next two games in the window against Jordan on Friday and Iran on Sunday, which is actually the start of the second round of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
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While the statement could mean that the door is still ajar on him playing for the national team, Fajardo appears certain that he will already hang up his sneakers for international duty by the time this FIBA window is done.
In fact, Fajardo said he is no longer inclined to play in the 20th Asian Games which will come a few days after the FIBA window.
Fajardo was part of the Gilas Pilipinas team that captured the gold medal in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China three years ago.
“Marami namang players sa Asian Games,” the San Miguel big man said. “Ibibigay ko na lang ‘yung spot ko sa iba para naman ma-experience naman nila."
Fajardo feels so blessed with his stint with Gilas Pilipinas even after he sustained a tibia injury that kept him out for the entire 2020 season during the COVID-19 year.
“Matanda na ako. 36 na ako. Sobrang blessed ko nga na nakabalik uli ako. Nung nabalik ‘yung tibia ko, naisip ko nga na hindi na ako makakabalik sa basketball kahit sa PBA," he said.
“Sobrang blessed ko na mapasali uli sa national team. Nakasali pa ako sa Asian Games, nanalo ng gold, naka-World Cup pa ako after ng incident na ‘yun."
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