Fajardo struggles against bigger Turkish front court
June Mar Fajardo shoots a jumper over Turkey’s Omer Asik. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
June Mar Fajardo is used to being the biggest guy around, but during the Philippines’ tune-up game against Turkey at Mall of Asia Arena, the reigning two-time MVP was in for a beating.
He admitted he had a hard time matching up against the Turkish big men Omer Asik and Semih Erden.
“Oo nahirapan din, laki kasi eh,” said Fajardo, who only had two points and two rebounds in the Filipinos’ practice game in preparation for the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Erden and Asik both stand seven-feet tall while Fajardo barely scratched that number as he stands at six-foot-10.
Fajardo’s biggest opponent, literally, in the PBA is seven-footer Greg Slaughter but the Kraken has shown time and again that he is the better of the two big men.
But it was a different story against Turkey as Erden got the better of him with 13 points and six rebounds and the Giant Men took the 84-76 win.
Despite the setback, Fajardo said Gilas has improved since Turkey gave them a 35-point shellacking in their first encounter during the team’s Europe camp.
“Malaki inimprove namin sa opensa at depensa,” said Fajardo. Dapat daw i-maintain namin yung ganoong game.”
Another area where the Filipinos should improve is their free throw shooting.
The Philippines shot a paltry 15-of-26 from the charity stripe while Turkey had a somewhat healthier 18-of-26 clip.
