JUNE Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez are set to embark on a punishing schedule for the coming weeks that will see them play not just locally but overseas.
Fajardo and Perez begin a three-game, five-day swing with the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Governors' Cup with matches against NorthPort on Wednesday, Barangay Ginebra on Friday, and TNT on Sunday.
The two SMB stars will most likely be part of the final line-up of Gilas Pilipinas in the sixth window of the Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers where they will play Lebanon on February 24 and Jordan on February 27 at the Philippine Arena.
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A few days after the Fiba window, San Miguel will head to Japan to take part in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Champions Week, where it will play Japan B.League team Ryukyu Golden Knights on March 2 in Utsonumiya, and KBL squad Anyang KGC on March 4 in Okinawa.
The whirlwind schedule for the San Miguel pair will most likely continue when they go back home since the PBA All-Star Game in Passi, Iloilo will be held on March 12,. Fajardo and Perez are currently in the Top 24 in the voting.
Fajardo and Perez are bracing for the busy weeks ahead, but are taking it positively as they will be representing the country in international competitions not just with the national team but also at the club level during the EASL stint.
“Kailangan ko lang magpa-kundisyon. Almost every day ‘yung practice tapos almost every other day ‘yung game. May Gilas pa. Kailangan magpakundisyon,” said Fajardo.
“Wala akong problema sa schedule. Blessed nga ako na naging part ako. Wala akong dapat i-complain. Masaya ako na nasa Gilas ako,” said Fajardo.
Perez, 29, said he is making the most out of his peak years in basketball.
“Hydrate lang ako at pahinga talaga. Napaka-importante kasi dikit-dikit ‘yung laro tapos everyday ang practices tapos sa team. I’m grateful naman na nangyayari ito sa akin sa maagang career ko sa basketball,” said Perez.
“Sobrang grateful ako na pinatawag ako ng Gilas. Simula pa lang, pangarap ko na ito. Nandito na ako. Ginagawa ko lahat ng best ko sa practice at extra work,” said Perez.
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