Gilas Pilipinas look to the two-game 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifying window without their veteran man-in-the-middle to command the paint. Recently crowned champion of the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup, June Mar Fajardo will reportedly miss the Nationals’ tourneys against Chinese Taipei (February 22, 2024) and Hong Kong (February 25, 2024) due to an apparent calf injury sustained during the finals.
Fortifying San Miguel Beermen’s successful title run, “The Kraken” eluded medical instruction, further damaging the partial tear on his left calf in Game 4 of the series—routing the Magnolia Hotshots to a 4-2 victory. Although sidelined, Fajardo is still present throughout the team’s training sessions.
“It’s unfortunate because I want to play for Gilas, but my doctor told me to rest…I’m doing my best to heal right away so I’ll be able to catch up in our practices,” mentioned Fajardo during a press conference at a Gilas Pilipinas’ practice at PhilSports Arena last Monday, February 19, 2024.
Due to the unavailability of the seven-time PBA Most Valuable Player and Toyama Grouses’ AJ Ed, Head Coach Tim Cone calls an audible from his “constant” Gilas structure, acquiring the experience of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel forward Japeth Aguilar, noting the lack of size in the frontcourt.
