Fajardo skips Gilas practice with ‘slight sprain,’ ready for Jokic-led Serbia

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

FOSHAN, China—June Mar Fajardo will be getting his chance against Serbia’s Nikola Jokic Monday, but the Gilas Pilipinas center, who is fast being noticed as a good international talent, will be going into the match most likely at less than 100%.

The 6-foot-10 Fajardo, who twisted an ankle in the second half of Saturday’s 108-62 loss to Italy, did not practice Sunday night and coach Yeng Guiao deemed it best not to over-extend Fajardo so that he could be ready in Gilas’ make-or-break outing against the Serbs at 7:30 at Foshan International Sports and Cultural Arena here.

“We opted not to play him in practice today,” Guiao said. “He has a slight sprain but it’s playable. By doing this (not making Fajardo practice), he should be OK for (Monday).”

Win or lose for the Filipinos, it would be interesting to see how Fajardo would fare in the paint against the 7-foot Jokic, Serbia’s 7-foot All-NBA First Team center who looms as the best slotman here with the best American talents out of the US team.