June Mar Fajardo will sit out the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers this February against Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei.
June Mar Fajardo was reduced to a spectator as Gilas doubled down on practice on Monday in time for the first window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Fajardo will sit out the game against Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei on February 22 and 25, respectively, due to a left calf injury he suffered during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Magnolia.
[RELATED STORY: No June Mar Fajardo for Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers first window]
Fajardo, who was coming off a brief vacation in his hometown of Pinamungahan, Cebu, couldn’t help but feel sad he won’t be able to don the Gilas jersey to start the 2024 campaign.
As much as he wanted to join the team and play, the 6-foot-10 behemoth was asked to rest for two weeks.
“Nakakalungkot lang kasi gusto ko maglaro sa Gilas. Pero sinabihan ako ng doktor na pagpahingahin,” he said.
“Pero ginagawa ko naman 'yung best ko na sana mag-heal agad para makahabol kami sa mga practices.”
This development added to the woes of the Gilas team, which is already missing the services of AJ Edu, who is nursing a meniscus injury on his left knee.
Fortunately for Gilas, the 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto will fill that gaping hole in the middle for the Filipino dribblers.
Sotto is ready for the challenge.
“Always ready. Next man up lang,” Sotto said.
[RELATED STORY: Kai Sotto ready for bigger role as Gilas gears up for FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers]
Fajardo, the seven-time PBA MVP, couldn’t agree more.
“Di naman na mga bata sina Kai, kasi sobrang exposed na sila sa international games. Kaya na nilang makapagsabayan,” he said.