Gilas Pilipinas leaves for FIBA Asia Cup with injured June Mar Fajardo

GILAS PILIPINAS is ready to play with 11 players in case June Mar Fajardo will not be able to play for the FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon.

The team left for FIBA Asia Cup along with the injured reigning three- time Most Valuable Player over the weekend as the Philippines try to reclaim Asian supremacy despite the unfortunate turn of events that happened the past two weeks.

Mr. Fajardo is expected to miss the action in FIBA Asia Cup after suffering a strained right calf injury as reported by Carla Lizardo of News 5. The 6-foot-10 slotman sat out San Miguel Beer’s game Friday night upon the advise of the doctor.

San Miguel Beer team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed to BusinessWorld that Mr. Fajardo left with the members of Gilas Pilipinas. The team also sent the equipment — the Normatech — which he’s been using for rehab on his injury.

“Our physical therapist is in close contact with the PT of Gilas Pilipinas. For now, the doctor’s advise is to rest the injury for three days before using the equipment for rehab,” Mr. Abanilla said in a telephone interview. According to Mr. Abanilla, Mr. Fajardo is suffering from acute exacerbation of chronic tear in his right calf.

“It’s not a complete tear, but it could lead to that if we’re going to force him to play. Right now, the advise is for him to take a one week rest and one week rehab. He had a previous tear on the same calf,” added Mr. Abanilla.

While Mr. Fajardo can suit up and play for Gilas Pilipinas once his condition gets better in the days to come, Mr. Abanilla, was informed by the doctor to rest it as it could lead to a more severe damage on his calf.

“The doctor also told us that the other calf is also developing a tear. I know June Mar is a fighter. He has played injured before, but looking at the long term, it would be advisable for him to rest so that Gilas could use him in future tournaments. The FIBA Asia Cup is not a qualifying tournament anyway,” added Mr. Abanilla.

Mr. Fajardo has trained twice a day several times while preparing for the FIBA Asia Cup — one for Gilas Pilipinas and one for his mother team. He has also played a lot of games and saw heavy minutes for the Beermen, who had won five championships the past three seasons and put themselves in a good position to win the grand slam this season. —