Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With the PBA ongoing, June Mar Fajardo isn’t worried with how Gilas Pilipinas will fare in the second window of the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers in February.
“I think we’ll be in good condition because we all have games in the PBA. I’ll split my time with Gilas and San Miguel so I’m confident that we’ll be in our A-game,” he said in Filipino.
Fajardo attended his first national team practice on Monday after missing the resumption last week due to flu.
“I’m happy that we’re back. I just hope that all of the efforts we’re putting in will pay off. We’re all wishing that we’ll perform well in February because it won’t be easy,” the Cebuano giant said.
Gilas Pilipinas is preparing for its game versus Australia on February 22 at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne before taking on Japan at Mall of Asia Arena on February 25.
Fajardo’s return also gave him a chance to work with “23-for-23” cadets CJ Perez and Abu Tratter, with the two young guns impressing the four-time PBA MVP.
“I’ve seen them play in the collegiate leagues and I’m impressed. It’s good that we’re seeing them here because they’re the future of Gilas,” he said.
Fajardo is excited for what the future holds, but he knows that the first order of business is for the Philippines to qualify for the 2019 Fiba World Cup in China.
Gilas is currently undefeated after two games but the 28-year-old center said the team is still far from where it wants to be.
“We need to fix our weaknesses, work out what we need to improve on. Our work for those games starts now,” he said.