Young Gilas players honor 'legend' June Mar Fajardo as veteran weighs national team exit

June Mar Fajardo may be nearing the end of his Gilas Pilipinas journey, but his impact on the national team is already etched in history.

After 68 games and more than a decade of service to the flag, the 6-foot-11 Fajardo could be on the verge of calling time on his Gilas Pilipinas career with the upcoming FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Window 4 potentially serving as his final two games.

Fajardo cited his age and health as the main factors behind his decision, saying he still wants to enjoy the remainder of his playing career and fears that continued international duty could take a toll on his body and shorten his time on the court.

“Of course, it’s an honor to play for the national team. I’m so blessed to be a part of it. It hasn’t been hard for me to be part of the team,” Fajardo said in Filipino during a press conference on Monday.

“It’s possible these are my last two games for the national team.”

The news has left his younger teammates with mixed emotions, knowing they could soon be saying goodbye to a legend.

“Actually I was surprised that he wanted to retire already. I thought there would be two more World Cups,” CJ Perez, Fajardo's teammate in both Gilas and San Miguel, said in Filipino in the same press conference.

“But yeah, I’m grateful and honored to have been teammates with Kuya June here in Gilas and he promised me with San Miguel that before he retires, he’d give me more championships. So I hope he just stays healthy this window and in the PBA.”

Perez, who won all four of his PBA titles alongside Fajardo, also paid tribute to the 36-year-old big man’s unwavering commitment to Gilas, praising how he repeatedly battled through adversity just to don the national team jersey.

“Kuya June has gone through a lot, with injuries, ups and downs, but he’s still here, making sacrifices for the country. I’m happy for him,” Perez added.

The younger players are also honored to have played with Fajardo in the national team with AJ Edu hoping to give the Cebuano slotman a proper Gilas exit.

"It’s been an honor to play with June Mar. He’s a Gilas legend, PBA legend. It’s an honor to play with him in his last window and we’ll all be motivated to make it a good one," Edu, who's among those expected to fill the void that Fajardo will leave, said.

Fajardo also remains confident that Gilas Pilipinas is in good hands, especially with Kai Sotto and Edu teaming up once again after three years, while Justin Arana also emerges as a promising addition to the frontcourt.

Arana is embracing the challenge, even with his spot on the final roster for Window 4 still far from guaranteed, as Gilas prepares for its games at the Mall of Asia Arena against Jordan and Iran.

“Kuya June Mar has been a big factor in my career. Ever since I was young, they were the ones playing for Gilas so I look up to them a lot,” the Converge star said.

“Now that I’m given the opportunity, I will grab it. I won’t let it go to waste. I’m going to give my best.”

—JMB, GMA News