31/08/2026
There comes a time when even the strongest tower has to step away.
And if the games against Jordan and Iran truly mark the final chapter of June Mar Fajardo’s journey with Gilas Pilipinas, then there is only one thing left to say:
Maraming, maraming salamat, June Mar.
For years, we talked about the future of Philippine basketball.
Kai Sotto.
AJ Edu.
Quentin Millora-Brown.
Mike Phillips.
A new generation of Filipino big men, taller, younger, more athletic, more mobile. But before they were ready, someone had to hold the fort. That someone was June Mar Fajardo.
When Asi Taulava eventually stepped away from national-team duties, it was June Mar, together with Japeth Aguilar, who inherited the responsibility of standing in the paint for the Philippines.
And it was never an easy responsibility.
He battled bigger bodies. Faster big men. NBA-caliber frontcourts. European giants. Asian rivals who knew exactly where the Philippines was vulnerable.
Through different coaches, different systems, different teammates and different versions of Gilas, June Mar kept answering the call.
Sometimes he dominated. Sometimes international basketball exposed the limitations of his game. Sometimes fans questioned whether his style translated to the FIBA level.
But he kept showing up.
And that matters.
Because while we were waiting for Kai to mature…
while AJ was developing…
while QMB was finding his way into the program…
while Mike Phillips was growing into an international player…
June Mar kept Gilas standing.
He became the bridge between generations.
From the era of Asi Taulava…
to the years of June Mar and Japeth…
and now, perhaps, to the era of Sotto, Edu, Millora-Brown, Phillips and whoever comes next.
Today, we can see that June Mar is no longer the same player he was during his physical prime. The steps are a little slower. The explosiveness is no longer the same.
International basketball has become faster, more athletic and more demanding. But maybe that is what makes this moment beautiful.
Because now, when June Mar finally looks behind him, the kids are no longer kids.
Kai is ready to stand taller.
AJ is ready to protect the paint.
QMB is ready to battle.
Mike is ready to bring his energy and toughness.
The next generation of big men are here.
And perhaps the greatest compliment we can give June Mar is this:
He stayed long enough for them to become ready. He carried the responsibility until there were finally enough hands capable of carrying it after him.
So if this really is goodbye to international basketball, there should be no sadness about what June Mar can no longer do.
Instead, there should be gratitude for everything he already did.
For every training camp.
Every qualifying window.
Every sacrifice.
Every battle underneath the basket.
Every time the Philippine flag was on his chest.
June Mar Fajardo did not simply play for Gilas Pilipinas.
He helped keep the position alive until the next generation arrived.
The Kraken may finally be leaving the national team.
But the tower he helped build remains standing.
And now, the young giants can take it from here.
Maraming salamat, June Mar Fajardo.
You held the fort.
You carried the weight.
You paved the way.
Now, it is their turn.
Worry-less, they got this.
