MANILA — June Mar Fajardo may have played his final game for Gilas Pilipinas, with the veteran center signaling that he is ready to end his national team career and make way for younger players ahead of the 2026 Asian Games.
The San Miguel Beermen star said the Philippines’ recently concluded FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers games could have been his last appearances in a Gilas uniform after years of carrying the country’s colors in international competition.
“Posible nga ‘yung last two games ko para sa national team. Marami naman players sa Asian Games so bigay ko na lang spot ko sa iba pa. Ma-experience man nila,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo’s possible departure would mark the end of a significant chapter for Gilas, which has relied on the many-time PBA Most Valuable Player as one of its primary big men in numerous international tournaments.
Gilas and Beermen teammate Jaymar Perez admitted he was surprised by Fajardo’s decision, believing the veteran center still has enough left to potentially play in two more World Cups.
“Actually nagulat ako na gusto niya mag-retire. Pang dalawang World Cup pa yun eh. Pero I’m grateful and honored na nakasama ko si June Mar dito sa Gilas,” Perez said.
Perez also expressed hope that Fajardo would remain healthy throughout the current qualifying window and the Asian Games.
“Bigyan niya muna ng championship pa. I hope na maging healthy siya throughout this window and Asian Games. I’m so proud na daming napagdaanan ni June Mar, injuries, ups and downs, pero he’s still here.”
Gilas head coach Tim Cone, however, revealed that Fajardo had already informed the national team of his intention to retire following the previous qualifying window.
According to Cone, Fajardo delivered an emotional speech to his teammates in the locker room following the Philippines’ game against Australia, telling them about his plans to step away from Gilas.
“Yeah, I don’t know if it got caught on in the press, but after the last window, after the Australian game, he gave a long speech in the locker room about how he was going to retire from Gilas. It was similar to what Jap(eth Aguilar) had done previously the year before,” Cone said.
Cone acknowledged the physical toll years of playing for both San Miguel and the national team have taken on Fajardo, while praising the veteran big man for continuing to answer the call of duty for Gilas.
“He’s been playing a long time, he plays a lot of minutes at San Miguel. He’s beat up, but he’s still coming in and joining us and giving us his best. No one appreciates June Mar more than me,” he added. “I really love the guy. I love that he sacrifices to keep coming here and playing.”/PN
