PBA: June Mar Fajardo return timetable hinges on evaluation

June Mar Fajardo (No. 15) hasn’t seen action since hurting his knee in the East Asia Super League Champions Week. —PHOTO BY AUGUST DELA CRUZ

San Miguel Beer, maybe. Gilas Pilipinas, likely.

Those are the odds San Miguel Beer coach Jorge Gallent handed out for June Mar Fajardo as the star big man gets evaluated next week to determine the potential timetable for his return after being sidelined by a knee injury since March.

Gallent said Fajardo will be assessed on June 15 after showing signs of improvement, having joined the Beermen practices on a few occasions recently.

“Definitely June Mar’s improving,” Gallent said after San Miguel’s 90-78 win over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) On Tour on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

“He’s practiced with us twice and he’s looking good. But I’m not saying he’s gonna play in the Tour; we will see what will happen on the 15th of June,” he added.

Gallent was a bit more optimistic about Fajardo’s chances to join Gilas Pilipinas, which expects to include the six-time Most Valuable Player in its pool for the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) World Cup.

“I’m sure he can also help the Gilas team,” said Gallent.

Fajardo has not seen action since getting hurt in the Beermen’s match against the Ryukyu Golden Kings of Japan’s B.League in the East Asia Super League Champions Week.

The 6-foot-10 center subsequently missed the remainder of the PBA Governors’ Cup which saw San Miguel being swept by Ginebra in the semifinals.