June Mar Fajardo retires from national team duties – BusinessWorld Online
FAJARDO — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA
THE loudest cheers and applause inside the packed MOA Arena didn’t go to Gilas Pilipinas fan favorite Dwight Ramos or comebacking Kai Sotto.
They were actually reserved for June Mar Fajardo (JMF), who took his final bow as a national team mainstay on Sunday in the Philippines’ emphatic 68-56 win over perennial tormentor Iran in Window 4 of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
Gilas gave the floor to Mr. Fajardo at midcourt at the height of the post-win celebration. He was overflowing with emotion as he lifted the game ball high with two hands, acknowledging the love and well wishes of teammates and fans appreciative of his 13 years of service for the country.
It was a surreal and full-circle moment for Mr. Fajardo, 36, as he made both his debut and his last hurrah for Gilas in the same Pasay City venue 13 years apart.
“Sobrang bilis ng panahon,” said “The Kraken.”
“Pero ‘yung nga, eto na talaga. Kaya nga kanina nung national anthem, talagang naging emotional ako kasi ito na, last na makita ko apelyido ko sa board.”
The fact that the end was laced with a feel-good victory over Team Melli that he shared with adoring fans made it even sweeter for JMF.
“Isang karangalan na matapos ’yung career ko sa panalo at sa harap ng kababayan natin. Maraming salamat sa inyo,” he said, savoring the two-game sweep that started with a gutsy 82-81 overtime verdict over Jordan on Friday.
His successors led by Mr. Sotto dedicated the window to their kuya.
“Noong bata ako tinitingala ko si kuya June, and sobrang idol ko ‘yan sobrang blessed ako na naging part ako ng journey niya sa national team and sa pagtapos, gusto ko lang talaga manalo ng dalawang games para kay kuya June,” said Mr. Sotto.
JMF said he’s leaving Gilas in good hands.
“Sobrang bright ng future ng Gilas basta’t healthy lang ang mga boys. Sobrang talented nung mga players. Sana magkasama sila nang matagal para hindi mahirap yung adjustment,” he said.
With that, the 6-foot-10 three-time World Cup veteran and Asian Games gold medalist signed off. — Olmin Leyba