June Mar Fajardo receives his MVP award.
Reigning back-to-back PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo has decided to skip the national team duties to rest his injured foot.
Fajardo, who was named to the Gilas Pilipinas pool, said that he’ll be missing the buildup for the 2015 Fiba Asia Championships.
“Skip muna ako sa Gilas (I’ll skip Gilas for now.),” Fajardo said in an exclusive interview to INQUIRER.net.
READ: Fajardo headlines Baldwin’s PBA wishlist for Gilas pool
Fajardo has been forced to beg off from national team duties due to plantar fasciitis on both feet, an injury he incurred through the course of the PBA season. He is currently recuperating in his hometown Cebu.
Though he has yet to speak with national team coach Tab Baldwin about the matter, Fajardo has extended his apologies.
READ: Fajardo looking to rest due to nagging foot pain
“Nagso-sorry ako kasi matagal pa yung ipapahinga ng injury ko at kung makabalik man ako, baka matagalan din ako kabisaduhin yung plays at makabalik sa kundisyon,” he said. “Ayoko rin naman masaalang-alang yung kapakanan ng team dahil lang sa akin.”
(I’m apologizing because my injury needs ample recovery time and if ever I get back, it might take a long time to get accustomed to the plays and get back to game shape. I don’t want the team to be hampered just because of me.)
READ: Fajardo’s feet still ‘hurting,’ will miss Gilas practice Monday
The Cebuano giant, however, indicated that he would love to be part of the next Gilas squad once his injury heals.
“Syempre gusto ko talaga lumaro sa national team at i-represent yung country natin. Pero ang gusto ko pag lumaro ako para sa Gilas, healthy na ako para maibigay ko yung lahat ng kaya ko para sa bayan,” Fajardo said.
(Of course I want to play for the national team and represent our country. But I want to be in full health when I play so I can give my all for our country). CFC