JUNE Mar Fajardo will answer the call for Gilas Pilipinas in its FIBA Asia Cup campaign.
The assurance was made by no less than coach Tim Cone, who said the anchor of the national team's frontcourt is joining the rest of the guys in the August 5-17 showcase in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The team will depart for the Middle East late Wednesday night, and Fajardo will have his first practice with Gilas once it arrives in the Saudi Arabian port city.
"June Mar we expect him to start practicing when we land in Jeddah. We start practicing when we arrive, which would be the 31st (July)," said Cone.
The eighth-time PBA MVP will have his first taste of action for the national team on August 2 when it plays Jordan in a friendly.
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The 6-foot-10 San Miguel star skipped the Gilas training camp to take a rest after playing in a grueling title series against TNT for the Philippine Cup championship, one which saw Fajardo nursing a calf injury during the course of the finals which the Beermen eventually won.
Although Fajardo has long been a part of the Gilas program, Cone said it still remains to be seen how he'll play and react once he returns to the court with the rest of the national team members.
"We have to learn the difference when he's on the floor. We'll see what's going on with him. Hopefully, like I said, he'll be ready for the 31st," added the national mentor.
There's no doubt though, the impact the big man from Cebu brings to Gilas once he's on the floor.
"He changes the game for us. We have to play in a different way with June Mar on the floor. The only concern is that we haven't had much practice time with him," said Cone. (RG)
