Gilas Pilipinas’ June Mar Fajardo in action against Chinese Taipei in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. Photo from FIBA Basketball
RODRIGUEZ, Rizal — Are we nearing the end of June Mar Fajardo's Gilas Pilipinas career?
Fajardo mulled about retiring from the national team, underscoring that the program needs to develop further the younger talent, including big men Quentin Millora-Brown and Kai Sotto.
READ: Tim Cone says Quentin Millora-Brown to suit up for Gilas in November qualifiers
The 35-year-old Fajardo called Sotto and Millora-Brown the future of the Gilas frontline as he acknowledged his scaling age.
"Mas okay 'yun, kasi kailangan natin mag-train ng mga bata — kasi sila na 'yung future eh," answered Fajardo on Wednesday when asked about QMB's inclusion in the national team pool.
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June Mar Fajardo's Gilas Pilipinas jersey. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file
"Ako, wala na ako, ilang games nalang siguro ako sa Gilas. Pwede ko nang ibigay sa mga bata, kasi sila 'yung future eh," added the San Miguel big man.
"Masaya ako na and excited ako makasama siya [Millora-Brown] sa [Gilas]," he went on. "Malapit na ako [matapos sa Gilas] kasi andiyan naman sila Kai ngayon, 'yung mga bata."
READ: SBP: FIBA classifies Quentin Millora-Brown as Philippine local
Gilas head coach Tim Cone earlier confirmed that the former University of the Philippines standout will be joining the national team for the November window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The Nationals will be on the road against Guam on November 28, followed by a home game on December 1 at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo de Manila University.
— with a report from Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
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