6-10 Cebu slotman June Mar Fajardo joining PBA draft

MANILA, Philippines—The projected top pick has signified his intention to join the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft, while another marquee player may throw in his name, too, by next week.

June Mar Fajardo disclosed Thursday his plans to join the pro league, while national team standout Chris Tiu has also set a self-imposed deadline for his own application.

“Gusto ko ng maglaro sa PBA, kahit naman sino kumuha sa akin (I want to play in the PBA, I won’t mind which team will draft me),” Fajardo said in an interview yesterday with a radio reporter.

As of yesterday afternoon, the PBA office has yet to receive Fajardo’s application.

A prized 6-foot-10 slotman from Cebu, Fajardo last saw action with San Miguel Beer in the Asean Basketball League.

Petron owns the top pick for the draft slated on Aug. 19 at Robinsons Midtown Manila.

Tiu, meanwhile, said he’ll decide by Wednesday if he’ll join the draft.

“It’s now or never,” said the 27-year-old Tiu. “It’s this year or not. If I don’t join this year, that’s it for me.”

The former national team captain had hoped to continue donning the national colors, but the Smart Gilas program was discontinued.

Tiu, though, doesn’t see coaching as an option even after local basketball’s poster boy recently agreed to teach the basketball basics on television.

“Coaching at a professional or collegiate level, as of now, I don’t think so,” said Tiu.

Sports5, the sports arm of TV5, recently tapped Tiu to host the “1-on-1 Tiu-torials” instructional, which will air on free TV on AKTV on IBC 13 and 24/7 sports channel HYPER.

“To be able to have a well conceptualized sports segment, you have to supplement it with being seen on court,” said Tiu.