By REYNALD MAGALLO
June Mar Fajardo is inching closer to his full recovery from a knee injury – a timely respite for Gilas Pilipinas which is preparing for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Fajardo has been attending the light training sessions of Gilas at the Meralco Gym, finally looking fit after going down with an MCL injury on his knee which he sustained during the San Miguel Beer’s campaign in the EASL Champions last March.
The 6-foot-10 gentle giant said he’s already feeling good and is only waiting for a clearance from his doctors to go full blast on his training with the national team.
“Okay na nagpapraktis na ako pero kailangan ko lang ma-clear na. Kanina wala pa namang kontak, kanina mga drills lang,” said Fajardo.
“Nag-rerehab naman ako so far maganda naman yung rehab sana tuloy tuloy,” he added.
Now gunning for a spot for his third World Cup appearance, Fajardo shared that he was just grateful for the opportunity to be included in the pool and represent the country once more in the bioggest of the international stage.
“Syempre masaya blessed tayo na mapasama sa national team every time na may opportunity kailangan igrab natin thankful na napasama uli tayo sa national team,” he added.
“Excited ako na pangtlong World Cup na kung makasama ako same as Japeth (Aguilar). Excited ako na makasama sila si Jordan (Clarkson) di ko pa nakasama sila. Di pa personal. Excited ako sa darating na World Cup then sa mga byahe namin sa training camp,” said the six-time PBA MVP.
Fajardo, along with Aguilar, who incidentally was also coming off a knee injury, is expected to anchor Gilas’ big man rotation at least for the duration of the team’s European trip with Kai Sotto still in the US for the NBA Summer League.
The two will be joined by AJ Edu and Poy Erram, both still nursing some minor injuries in Gilas frontline.
