Gilas Pilipinas is in danger of losing one of its key players for next week’s FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon after June Mar Fajardo sustained an injury during San Miguel’s recent game in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Fajardo failed to see action in the Beermen’s match with the Star Hotshots last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum after suffering a strained calf in Wednesday’s 97-91 victory over TNT KaTropa, leaving Gilas with a big problem ahead of the tournament slated in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
The impending absence of the reigning three-time PBA Most Valuable Player will create a big hole in the middle for Gilas.
The Nationals are already without naturalized player Andray Blatche for the Aug. 8 to 20 tournament.
Gilas only has Fil-German Christian Standhardinger, who is listed as a naturalized player, and Rain or Shine’s Raymond Almazan are the only big men listed in the 12-man roster for its Group B assignment against China, Iraq, and Qatar.
The Filipinos make their debut on Wednesday against a Chinese team that includes a pair of centers over 7-feet.
Gilas will hold its final practice session today at the Ateneo campus before leaving for Beirut tomorrow.
