‘Old’ June Mar Fajardo nearing end of Gilas Pilipinas career

Gilas Pilipinas center June Mar Fajardo.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–June Mar Fajardo confirmed that the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers could be his last for Gilas Pilipinas.

Age and health have prompted Fajardo to take into consideration the possibility of ending a national team career that began in 2013 when Gilas secured qualification to the World Cup.

“Matanda na ako (I’m old),” the 36-year-old Fajardo said during Monday’s press conference at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: Cone: June Mar Fajardo ‘wanted to retire’ from Gilas before return

Fajardo actually had intended to hang up his Gilas jersey after the third window last month, with coach Tim Cone even recalling that the nine-time PBA Most Valuable Player gave an impassioned speech after facing Australia.

But Fajardo was convinced to suit up once more for Gilas, with Friday’s match against Jordan and Sunday’s game with Iran potentially his swan song before the home fans.

The San Miguel Beer star made his national team debut in 2013 when Gilas qualified for the World Cup by making the finals of the Fiba Asia Championship at home.

He would be a Gilas fixture for the next six years under coaches Chot Reyes, Tab Baldwin and Yeng Guiao before being able to return to the national team following a career-threatening injury.

READ: June Mar Fajardo still in driver’s seat in PBA MVP race

“I’m just blessed to be able to return to basketball after I broke my tibia,” Fajardo said, recalling his injury in 2020. “I thought that I wouldn’t be able to return to basketball.

“That was my lowest of lows. But I was able to return, did all my therapy, did what the doctors told me to do. I did my rehab right and I was given a second chance.”

He was part of Gilas’ historic run to the gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 that ended the country’s 61-year drought.

“I’m so blessed because I was able to win a gold medal in the Asian Games and was able to play another World Cup after my injury.”

But Fajardo is beginning the process of passing the torch to the younger guys, with the upcoming window the perfect avenue.