Fajardo braces for SEAG
MACAU — San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo won’t shy away from the challenge of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Sidelined here by an ankle injury he got during Gilas Pilipinas’ participation in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup in China, the 29-year old center won’t mind donning the national jersey again and play in front of the hometown crowd.
“Yes, I’ll be ready for the SEA Games,” said Fajardo, who did not play here in the East Asia Super League Terrific 12 invitational tournament as he’s still recovering from the ankle injury.
“My injury will be okay by that time. As long as I’m ready, I have no problem playing in the SEA Games.”
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has yet to release the new 24-man pool for the biennial meet although the federation said the pool is a mixture of amateur and professional players.
Some of the collegiate standouts reportedly on the pool are Kobe Paras, Kai Sotto, Justine Baltazar, Ricci Rivero, Thirdy Ravena and Isaac Go while Fajardo’s teammate Christian Standhardinger and Ginebra spitfire Stanley Pringle are said to be in the group.
The SBP has yet to name the new coach of Gilas for the SEA Games although Ginebra coach Tim Cone is high on the list. It will also finalize the pool once a new coach is named.