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[av_heading heading=’No sub for Fajardo in FIBA Asia squad ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas will not replace June Mar Fajardo as the team heads to the FIBA Asia Cup this week in Lebanon.
It will stick with its current lineup even though Fajardo’s participation remains uncertain due to his calf muscle injury, head coach Chot Reyes said yesterday before the national team left for Beirut.
“Nope. We do not have plans to tap a replacement player,” said Reyes. “If June Mar cannot play in FIBA Asia, then we will just play with what we have.”
They also opted not to tap any of reserve players Eduardo Daquioag and Alfonso Gotladera. Replacing a player will cost the team a fee of between $3,500 and $7,000, Reyes said.
Fajardo, a three-time PBA MVP, was forced to sit out the upcoming competition after sustaining a strained calf muscle, which he suffered during San Miguel Beermen’s game against TNT KaTropa last Wednesday.
The 6-foot-10 Pinamungahan, Cebu native will need at least a week to recover from the injury and another week for therapy before he gets evaluated for a possible return to the court.
“June Mar said he is willing to suit up for Gilas. But we have already prepared for the eventuality that we will not have him,” Reyes said. “It’s a bonus if he can play pero ayaw namin yung labas-masok siya sa rotation.”/PN
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