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[av_heading heading=’Fajardo finally breaks out for Gilas ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Wednesday, November 29, 2017
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MANILA – After years of wearing the national team colors, June Mar Fajardo finally unleashed his dominant form for Gilas Pilipinas during their 90-83 win over Chinese Taipei in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifier on Monday night.
Fajardo came off the bench to produce 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two blocks to fill the void left by naturalized center Andray Blatche, who struggled with just 6 points on 2-of-9 shooting.
“Ako naman kahit anong role ang ibigay sa akin ni coach Chot (Reyes), whether mag-start or coming off the bench, tatanggapin ko iyon,” said the reigning four-time PBA Most Valuable Player.
“Siyempre hindi lang naman ako. Thankful din ako sa mga teammates ko at kay coach na rin sa tiwala niya sa akin,” he added. “Hindi ko lang alam kung mauulit ko pa ito but kailangan ko lang magtiwala sa sistema ni coach at sa mga teammates.”
Reyes also praised the Cebuano for easily accepting the role as off-the-bench big man for Blatche and Japeth Aguilar.
“I think it’s a tribute to the team-manship of the players,” Reyes said.
“I spoke to June Mar to tell him that he was going to come off the bench, and he’d be fine with it. He said, ‘No problem. Whatever you need, coach, you don’t have to worry about it.’
“I thought June Mar saved us in this game. With all the attention Andray is getting from the big men of the Chinese Taipei, it allows June Mar to operate on the post.”
Posting a 2-0 record after defeating Japan and Chinese Taipei, Gilas will return to action against Australia on Feb. 22 and host Japan on Feb. 25 next year./PN
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