Fajardo was one of Gilas Pilipinas’ vital cogs during the Philippines second-place finish in the 2013 edition of the Asian tournament and there’s a big possibility that he would get summoned again when the country competes in China this September.
“Why not? Kasi Gilas 'yun eh, para sa bayan 'yun eh,” the amiable Cebuano said during San Migue Beer’s victory party on Wednesday. “Kung kukunin ako at papayagan ako ng San Miguel, why not?”
Aside from joining Gilas in the FIBA Asia tilt, Fajardo also played with the nationals in the FIBA Worlds and the Asian Games.
He said the Gilas experience taught him well when it comes to using his size and skills against taller foreign players.
“[‘Yung] international experience, nagagamit ko sa PBA eh. Kasi sa international competitions, malaki ang mga nakakaharap ko,” said Fajardo. “’Pag dating sa PBA hindi na gaanong malaki kaya yung kumpyansa mo tumataas.”
But for now, he said his main focus is to do well in the foreign-flavored PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Fajardo said they will be playing against imports this time and will have to win more games to realize San Miguel’s Grand Slam dreams.
The Beermen have already pocketed the Philippine Cup crown and will still need to win the Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup to duplicate San Miguel’s 1989 Grand Slam.
“Focus muna ako sa second conference kasi malalaki ang kalaban eh,” he said.
San Miguel will have its first game against KIA Carnival, who has 7-foot-3 import Peter John Ramos.
Fajardo said all they need to do is to follow the system to take care of Ramos’ brilliant offense.
“May game plan naman si coach eh, kailangan lang sundin ang sistema ni coach kasi alam naman natin para sa team 'yun eh, hindi pwedeng gagawa gawa kami ng kanya kanyang plays eh. dapat sundin namin ang sistema ni coach,” he said.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
