At 36 years old, San Miguel superstar and nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo said he is struggling to endure the combined PBA and Gilas Pilipinas grind.
It’s no secret Gilas Pilipinas big man June Mar Fajardo is close to calling it quits as far as national team duty is concerned.
While his pal Japeth Aguilar sees the end after the first window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Fajardo does not have a definite timeline for his retirement yet.
The nine-time PBA MVP, who has been donning the Gilas threads since 2013, was quick to add that he doesn’t see himself suiting up in the 2027 World Cup.
“Hindi na. Malayo na siguro 'yun,” he told One Sports after the team’s last practice in Manila on Monday, November 24 before leaving for Guam.
[RELATED STORY: Japeth Aguilar says FIBA WC Qualifiers Window 1 could be his last for Gilas]
The San Miguel superstar cited his body which, at 36 years old, cannot stand the tough PBA and Gilas grind for long.
“Pero ano talaga, inaano ko 'yung katawan ko. Syempre katawan ko puhunan ko. Dapat makinig din ako sa katawan ko. 'Pag di ko pinahinga katawan ko, baka 'yung katawan ko mismo magpahinga sakin. Ayoko naman mangyari 'yun,” he said.
Fajardo then recalled his lowest point back in early 2020 when he suffered a fracture on his tibia that almost convinced him to give it all up.
That happened following a busy schedule that saw him go straight from a PBA Finals to Gilas duty.
“Kasi nangyari sa 'kin last time, hindi ako nakinig sa katawan ko. Nabali tibia ko. Sobrang hirap,” said Fajardo, an Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist.
To say the experience was tough is an understatement.
In an interview with reporters after receiving his ninth Most Valuable Player award over a month ago, Fajardo said he found himself on rock bottom at least mentally.
“Noong na-injure ako, noong nabali ang tibia ko, maraming nagsabing wala na, hindi na ako makababalik sa PBA,” he said.
"Kahit ako, nag-cross din sa isip kong baka hindi na nga ako makabalik kasi bali na ang tibia ko.”
[ALSO READ: Nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo recalls almost giving up during lowest point of PBA career]
The 6-foot-10 doesn’t want that to happen again, that’s why he is mulling over retirement sooner rather than later.
Him leaving, after all, will give the younger bigs like Kai Sotto and AJ Edu more time to shine with Gilas. After all, they are the team’s “present and future.”
“Kayang kaya nila. 'Di naman na sila mga bata. Naglaro na nga sa international 'yan eh. Marami pa saming experience 'yan. 'Di na nakakapagtaka kung sila na 'yung present tsaka future ng national team,” he said.
[ALSO READ: Quentin Millora-Brown set for Gilas Pilipinas debut against Guam in FIBA World Cup qualifiers]
Fajardo showed out for Gilas in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, averaging 10 points and 5.3 rebounds with a 12.8 efficiency.
In the 2024 OQT in Latvia, he averaged nine points and 7.3 rebounds with a 12.7 efficiency.
Right now, Fajardo and Aguilar are making the most of their remaining days with the team they helped put back on the world basketball map.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.