June Mar Fajardo and Calvin Oftana are expected to show up but will sit out for Gilas Pilipinas against Macau in the first of two tuneup games before the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
June Mar Fajardo and Calvin Oftana will sit out Gilas Pilipinas’ sendoff match against Macau Black Bears on Monday, July 28.
Gilas assistant coach Richard del Rosario confirmed this development ahead of the 7:30 p.m. tussle at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fajardo and Oftana are fresh from a grueling PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup campaign that saw them suffer calf and ankle injuries, respectively.
The eight-time MVP and San Miguel bested Oftana’s TNT in six games in the Finals just last Friday, regaining the All-Filipino crown they ceded to Meralco last season.
Meanwhile, Fajardo’s teammate Cjay Perez will see action for Gilas but on minutes restriction.
“Calvin and June Mar will rest but CJ will play limited minutes,” said Del Rosario.
[RELATED STORY: Kevin Quiambao rejoins Gilas Pilipinas after US training camp]
The match is part of the team’s preparations for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Gilas plays New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Iraq in Group D of the continental meet, which will run from August 5 to 17.
But before plunging into action, Gilas will square off against Jordan in another scheduled friendly.
[ALSO READ: Gilas to treat Macau tune-up as full-blown test ahead of FIBA Asia Cup, says Dwight Ramos]