IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
UP NEXT
Rep. Jimmy Gomez on U.S. response to Chinese spy balloon: “I think they took appropriate steps”
05:47
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) on Tyre Nichols and his newly launched Senate campaign
07:40
Tennessee Rep. Torrey Harris on Tyre Nichols: ‘Memphis is going to hold the nation accountable.’
04:56
‘This is gut-wrenching.’ Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) calls on the Senate to pass police reform
05:03
“The justices are in essence undisciplinable.” Joyce Vance on the Supreme Court’s leak investigation.
06:05
“They’re going to make this into a circus.” Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) reacts to far-right House Republicans securing high profile committee assignments
07:15
“You don’t give up.” Rev. Al Sharpton on carrying forward Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy
05:47
Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts on recent victories
05:57
Good Liars create ‘Honest Trump Cards’ focusing on 2020 election loss
06:17
‘Packing 537 days into one report’: What to expect from Jan 6 Committee final report
05:02
Fmr. Mayor of San Antonio on lifting of Title 42: ‘Our immigration system is not working.’
04:35
‘It’s absolutely unsafe and we won’t stand for it’: Flight attendants speak out against one-pilot cockpits
05:54
“What I saw and heard shouldn’t be tolerated in our country:’ Rusty Bowers reacts to criminal referral for Trump
06:01
‘Obscene and unprecedented’: Text messages reveal GOP calls to overturn 2020 election results
06:55
‘They’re all going to have to pay this money back’: Florida attorney hopes to hold celebrity promoters of FTX accountable
04:31
“I will never give up.” Documentary chronicles fight for justice after Flight PS752 was shot down in Iran in 2020
18:02
New Documentary ‘Loan Wolves’ Investigates Student Debt Crisis
04:09
‘They’re digging a hole for themselves’: GOP-Controlled House prepares to launch frivolous investigations
05:18
‘A champion of humanity’: Soccer community remembers legacy of Grant Wahl after death at Qatar World Cup
06:37
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) becomes highest-ranking Asian American in Democratic House Leadership
05:14
President Biden stopped to speak with reporters in Hagerstown, Maryland, following news that the Chinese spy balloon has been shot down over the Atlantic Ocean, and commended the aviators for successfully taking it down. Feb. 4, 2023
UP NEXT
Rep. Jimmy Gomez on U.S. response to Chinese spy balloon: “I think they took appropriate steps”
05:47
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) on Tyre Nichols and his newly launched Senate campaign
07:40
Tennessee Rep. Torrey Harris on Tyre Nichols: ‘Memphis is going to hold the nation accountable.’
04:56
‘This is gut-wrenching.’ Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) calls on the Senate to pass police reform
05:03
“The justices are in essence undisciplinable.” Joyce Vance on the Supreme Court’s leak investigation.
06:05
“They’re going to make this into a circus.” Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) reacts to far-right House Republicans securing high profile committee assignments
June Mar Fajardo, easily the most dominant player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) could find himself teaming up with Justin Brownlee, the most accomplished import in recent years, at Gilas Pilipinas.
And no one is more excited about the possibility than the six-time Most Valuable Player awardee.
“He has been a joy to be with during practices,” Fajardo told the Inquirer when asked about the American forward who is a cinch to banner Gilas Pilipinas in the sixth and final window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers later this month.
“He has been a pain whenever we’re playing against him, but now I’m just super excited to be alongside him on the court,” he added.
Brownlee, barring any complications, is set to become the tip of the spear for the National Team when it hosts red-hot Lebanon and vengeful Jordan later this month.
Fajardo, meanwhile, is shaping up as a lock for Gilas after he missed the previous window due to a procedure to repair his throat.
A fixture of the national cage program and a veteran of two World Cups, the soft-spoken center from Cebu said that he already has an idea how much more fun it is to play alongside Brownlee, a winner of six PBA crowns and a three-time Best Import awardee.
“There’s not a bit of arrogance in him. He has made several accomplishments in his time here in the PBA, yet he remains humble. So I’m excited,” he said.
Inside-out threat
The setup is something that resonates not only with Fajardo, but with Gilas’ other recruits, who have long been on the nasty end of Brownlee’s dominance.
Like, say, Meralco’s Chris Newsome.
“Playing with him—not against him,” he said in a previous interview. “He has a lot of experience and he’s one of the best imports that I’ve played against. I’m just gonna be a sponge and try to absorb as much information and knowledge from JB that I can.”
With Brownlee and Fajardo in one crew, Gilas can enjoy being a threat from inside and out—something that national coach Reyes hopes to ride in the two homestands that will be played at cavernous Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
“Right away, there will be changes with Justin and June Mar—hopefully—being available. Right away, there’ll be a change in [the team’s] dynamics, right?” Reyes told the Inquirer earlier.
The Philippines currently holds a 5-3 win-loss in the tournament and is looking to continue building a head of steam in its buildup for the global games, which also runs through the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia this summer.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m just thrilled to finally play for Gilas again. You can count on me to give my best and follow the coaches’ [plans]. Hopefully, we get good results,” Fajardo said.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Read Next
Don’t miss out on the latest news and information.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
