MANILA, Philippines -- New Gilas coach Tab Baldwin made it no secret that he will make the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo the centerpiece of the FIBA Asia-bound national team.
The reiging PBA two-time MVP, who was used as back-up during his Gilas debut, welcomed the challenge.
"Nakakatuwa naman ('yung sinabi ni coach Tab). Malaking responsibilidad at nakaka-pressure rin pero, why not? Opportunity 'yun eh," Fajardo told Philstar.com.
Fajardo has improved by leaps and bounds since his debut in the international stage and he wants to repay the trust of Baldwin and the Filipino fans.
The Cebuano big man will be using the short break to rest his injury (plantar fasciitis) on both feet before returning for the Gilas training camp. San Miguel management gave them a six-week break but Fajardo is expected to only use a couple of weeks of that as he will plunge back to training with the Gilas pool starting August.
"Uuwi ako sa Cebu baka this Friday then saka na ako babalik kapag na-announce na ang (Gilas) pool, " Fajardo said.
Baldwin has already submitted his list of candidates for Gilas pool to the PBA. The PBA and SBP will be announcing the names in a joint press conference before this month ends.
Fajardo, who averaged 17.4 points and 12.9 rebounds this season on his way to his second straight league MVP, knows he has to re-calibrate his game to adjust to the much tougher FIBA Asia competition.
"Kailangan ko pang itaas ang confidence ko kasi ibang level na dun sa FIBA Asia. Malalaki at mabibilis ang kalaban dun," Fajardo said.
Baldwin has already envisioned Fajardo to play alongside naturalized center Andray Blatche in most stretches giving them enough ceiling to counter the bigger teams in Asia.
Source: Alder Almo of Philippine Star
