The gold medal-winning roster of Gilas Pilipinas had a sudden reunion during the PBA Media Day last Tuesday.
Many fans were delighted to see June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, Kevin Alas, and others spend time together again after their historic conquest in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China early his month.
Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, who's now in France to start a new chapter in his career, weren't around, but the rest of the players showed anew just how close they are, with their bond strengthed over their shared experience in the quadrennial event.
But of course, whenever these guys assemble, there will always be some joking and jerking around. Just ask Oftana and CJay Perez, who made a funny skit about their "drinking session" during the Asian Games.
But during the PBA Media Day, there was only one culprit: No other than The Kraken. Easily one of the most hilarious guys in the PBA, Fajardo likes to play little pranks on his teammates.
In this case, it was his Gilas Pilipinas teammate.
Alas posted on his Instagram Story on Wednesday how he was picked on by the six-time PBA MVP, who he jokingly described as a "bully."
Did you see it?
In all its subtle glory, the San Miguel Beermen center stepped on the shoe of NLEX Road Warriors guard.
Remember that deeply cultural "tradition" when your friends step on your brand new shoe as a form of "baptism"? That's probably what happened there with Abai and Kevin.
Don't ever change, June Mar.
Now that their Gilas Pilipinas stints are over, Fajardo, Alas, and company will shift their focus to their mother teams as they go into battle in the PBA's 48th season, which will begin on November 5.
It will open with the PBA Leo Awards, where JMF could win his 7th MVP plum. Alas, meanwhile, is one of the nominees for the Mythical Selection and the Sportsmanship Award.
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Catch it live at 4 p.m. on A2Z, PBA Rush, and the Pilipinas Live app.