June Mar Fajardo returns to Gilas Pilipinas – MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
National team coach Tim Cone’s outlook for FIBA opportunities is rosy, and much of that optimism stems from the fact that long-time Gilas Pilipinas fixture Mar Fajardo finally joined the Asian Cup qualifiers in June. It’s because of this.
Fajardo missed the first two games of the continental tournament due to a calf strain, but is on track to make his tournament debut on Thursday as the Nationals hope to extend their hot 2-0 start. They will be playing against a big and strong New Zealand team.
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“He was a dominant player (at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Latvia) and we expect him to be a dominant player again during this period. He is our mainstay and we rely on him. He’s one of those guys who’s going to be a great player,” Cone said of the San Miguel star.
Since that February shelving, Fajardo has tearfully discovered a new gear in his game, which he showed off to the world in Riga, against equally talented big men from Latvia, Montenegro and Brazil. . He averaged 9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in three games against a higher-ranked opponent who is also trying to qualify for Paris.
Inherited brilliance
Fajardo’s excellent play carried over into the PBA, where he won his eighth MVP award and 11th conference Most Valuable Player award at the Philippine Cup.
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“You see what kind of impact he has against San Miguel? Is the difference when he plays and when he doesn’t play? It’s the same with Gilas,” Cone said of the Cebuano big man. “He impacts the game even when he’s not playing, so he’ll give us a presence inside.”
The front line with Kai
Gilas bringing Fajardo back to the team couldn’t be more timely as the Nationals prepare to restructure the Tall Blacks, giving Cohn a young, physical and tall player. He said it was possible.
Fajardo also has the chance to continue building a bond with young center and program linchpin Kai Sotto, who is also on track for his next assignment with Gilas after clearing the B. League’s concussion protocol. will also be given.
“The good thing is that Kai and June Ma have a chemistry that allows them to play together,” Cohn said. (It’s) really unusual to get two five-man players and allow them to play together. ”
Fajardo celebrated his 35th birthday on Sunday and is currently hard at work preparing for two homestands with Cohn and the rest of Gilas, including a return match against Hong Kong on November 24th.
“New Zealand … had a pretty bad loss when we played them. But I really, really feel there’s a feeling that we can beat them this time,” said Cohn in 2016 in Manila. He talked about his Group B opponents, who have won the last four FIBA tournaments dating back to the Olympic qualifying tournament in 2017.
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“I think the players are confident,” he continued. “If you approach it with the mindset that “If you believe, you can do it,” I believe you can definitely achieve it.” INQ
