Japeth Aguilar cherishes friendship with Gilas Pilipinas buddy June Mar Fajardo

There are many things that Japeth Aguilar will cherish as he closed his Gilas Pilipinas chapter on Monday night.

Standing out among them is his friendship with Gilas teammate and PBA rival June Mar Fajardo.

“Thankful ako na naging kasama ko si June Mar, yung friendship namin talagang chine-cherish ko,” said Aguilar moments after Gilas’ 95-71 win over Guam to close the first window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

[Related: Dwight Ramos, Gilas hold strong with home win vs Guam in FIBA WC Asian Qualifiers]

“Masayang-masaya ako kasi sa PBA lagi kaming magkalaban pero dito [sa Gilas], yung moments namin, hindi ko makakalimutan.”

Since first being Gilas teammates in 2013, Aguilar and Fajardo have developed an unbreakable bond, thanks also in large part to their sessions playing video games, mainly DOTA.

In a previous interview with One Sports, Fajardo appeared unprepared for Aguilar’s retirement, who first played for the national team in 2009.

“Kapag wala na siya, kapag di na sya maglalaro, wala na ko makakausap dito. Ako na lang mag isa,” Fajardo said.

If the home win against Guam truly marks the end of Aguilar’s national team career, the Ginebra star has no room for regrets.

[Related: Japeth Aguilar gets winning sendoff as Gilas beats Guam at Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym]

After all, his stint included three FIBA World Cup appearances and a gold medal from the Asian Games.

“Ano rin, iniisip ko rin na darating at darating [retirement]. Hindi forever ang basketball. Darating talaga ang time na matatapos ang career,” he said.

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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.