Fajardo needs just bit of rest

Head coach Tab Baldwin talks to Gilas big men. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Physicians have determined that June Mar Fajardo’s swollen knee was caused by normal wear and tear, clearing the way for the 6-foot-10 center to return to the Gilas Pilipinas practice on Monday.

In another good news for national coach Tab Baldwin, Jeff Chan will join practice for the first time today, giving the injury-hit team another offensive option.

Gilas has been rocked by the withdrawals, due to serious injury, of stalwarts Paul Lee, Greg Slaughter and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser.

“I’m OK. Turns out that I just really need to rest,” Fajardo said over the phone in Filipino yesterday after seeing physicians from his mother PBA team San Miguel Beer.

Chan told the Inquirer he had just had a fourth therapy session to ease the pain in his groin and that doctors have ruled out a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test.

“I’m excited to rejoin the team,” said Chan. “I’ve been watching from the sidelines the past few days and seeing them on the court makes me want to come back as soon as possible.”

Chan, Rain or Shine’s 6-foot-2 gunner, walked with a limp when he first reported to Baldwin last Tuesday. He injured his groin in the Elasto-Painters’ title-clinching Game 6 win over Alaska in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

He said there’s “no greater feeling than playing at home” when Gilas vies for the lone Olympic spot in the the Fiba Qualifying Tournament on July 5 at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Philippines will clash with the Tony Parker-powered French five and then New Zealand in the first phase, needing to win at least one game to make it to the next round.

Meanwhile, Baldwin will also welcome to the fold tomorrow the biggest component of Gilas in naturalized center Andray Blatche.

A huge chunk of the Philippines’ chances lies on the shoulders of the 6-foot-11 Blatche, who was slated to plane in before midnight last night, according to Baldwin.