For more than a decade, seeing June Mar Fajardo wearing a Gilas Pilipinas jersey became almost normal.
World Cup?
June Mar was there.
Olympic qualifier?
June Mar was there.
Asian Games?
June Mar was there.
FIBA qualifying window?
If his body allowed it, there was a very good chance he would answer the call.
Now that chapter is officially over.
June Mar Fajardo has retired from Gilas Pilipinas, ending a national-team career that lasted 13 years and included three FIBA Basketball World Cup appearances, an Asian Games gold medal and 70 games in senior FIBA competitions.
The 36-year-old center confirmed his decision following the Philippines’ 68–56 victory over Iran on August 30, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
And somehow, the ending felt perfect.
His Gilas journey began at the same arena during the historic 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.
Thirteen years later, he walked away from international basketball at the MOA Arena with another Philippine victory, the game ball in his hands and thousands of fans chanting “MVP.”
Fajardo finished his final game with six points and two rebounds in just over seven minutes, but those numbers hardly explain what he meant to Gilas over the years. (gmanetwork.com)
This wasn’t simply the retirement of another national-team player.
It was the end of one of the longest and most dependable Gilas careers of the modern era.
Here is a look back at June Mar Fajardo’s 13 years with Gilas Pilipinas, from his quiet debut in 2013 to three World Cups, the historic Asian Games gold medal and his emotional final game against Iran.
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June Mar Fajardo Officially Retires From Gilas Pilipinas
Fajardo had been hinting for several weeks that the August qualifying window could be his last.
This wasn’t a decision that suddenly came to him after beating Iran.
According to Fajardo, age and health had become increasingly important considerations.
He is now 36.
He has spent years competing in the PBA while also repeatedly answering calls to represent the Philippines internationally.
Eventually, the body tells you something.
And June Mar decided it was time to listen.
Before Window 4, he explained that he still wanted to enjoy the remaining years of his playing career and didn’t want the additional physical demands of international basketball to shorten that time. (gmanetwork.com)
Interestingly, he had already considered retiring from Gilas after the previous qualifying window.
Tim Cone asked him for one more.
Jordan.
Iran.
Two important home games.
Fajardo agreed.
Then Gilas won both.
If you were looking for a good way to leave, that’s pretty difficult to beat.
This Is a Gilas Retirement, Not Necessarily the End of June Mar’s Basketball Career
One important clarification:
June Mar is retiring from international basketball and Gilas Pilipinas.
This is not an announcement that he is completely retiring from professional basketball.
He remains one of the biggest names in the PBA and has continued playing for the San Miguel Beermen.
So Filipino basketball fans will still be able to watch “The Kraken.”
We just won’t see No. 15 wearing Pilipinas across his chest anymore.
And that will probably take some getting used to.
June Mar’s Final Gilas Game Was Against Iran
The final appearance came Sunday night, August 30.
Gilas Pilipinas vs Iran.
Mall of Asia Arena.
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The Philippines desperately needed a victory to improve its qualification chances.
It also wanted to give one of its longest-serving players the right kind of farewell.
The beginning didn’t look promising.
Iran raced ahead.
The Philippines trailed 18–7 after the opening quarter.
At one point, Gilas was down 18–5.
Then Fajardo checked in.
One Last June Mar Jump Hook
With Gilas trying to work its way back into the game during the second quarter, Fajardo caught the ball inside against Arman Zangeneh.
Then came something Filipino basketball fans have seen countless times.
Turn.
Jump hook.
Basket.
The shot cut Iran’s advantage to 29–25.
The Mall of Asia Arena erupted.
Tim Cone later pointed to that play as one of the moments that helped change the energy of the game. Gilas eventually completed its comeback and went into halftime ahead, 36–34. (sports.inquirer.net)
It wasn’t a complicated highlight.
No crossover.
No three-pointer from 30 feet.
No spectacular dunk.
Just June Mar being June Mar.
Catch the ball.
Use his strength.
Get to his spot.
Score.
There was something fitting about that being one of the lasting images of his final national-team appearance.
June Mar’s Final Gilas Stats
Against Iran, Fajardo recorded:
- 6 points
- 2 rebounds
- 7 minutes and 5 seconds played
Gilas eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter to win, 68–56.
Dwight Ramos and Juan Gomez de Liaño led the Philippines with 16 points each.
Kai Sotto had 13 points and 16 rebounds.
AJ Edu contributed eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
But when the game ended, some of the attention immediately shifted toward June Mar.
His teammates presented him with the game ball.
The crowd began chanting:
“MVP! MVP! MVP!”
And Fajardo confirmed what many already suspected.
That was it.
His last Gilas game. (gmanetwork.com)
June Mar Wants to Frame the Game Ball
One small detail from the postgame celebration probably says a lot about what the night meant to him.
Fajardo took the game ball.
He said he planned to have it framed.
After everything he has won in basketball, that ball still mattered.
Think about that.
This is a player who has won PBA championships.
Nine PBA MVP awards.
Individual trophies.
International medals.
He has played in three FIBA World Cups.
Yet the ball from one seven-minute appearance against Iran was something he wanted to preserve.
Because it wasn’t just another basketball.
It represented the end.
June Mar’s Gilas Career Started in 2013
To really understand the full-circle nature of his retirement, we have to go back to 2013.
Fajardo was still relatively young in his professional career when he was selected for the Philippine team competing in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in Manila.
At that point, he wasn’t yet the unstoppable PBA giant people know today.
He was still developing.
In fact, he barely played.
FIBA’s official statistics show that Fajardo appeared in seven games during the tournament but averaged only:
- 0.4 points
- 1.3 rebounds
- 4.4 minutes
Those numbers look almost strange today.
The future nine-time PBA MVP was basically a backup big man trying to find his place.
But what happened to Gilas during that tournament changed Philippine basketball.
The 2013 “Golden Silver”
That 2013 Philippine team produced one of the defining moments of modern Gilas history.
The Philippines defeated South Korea in the semifinals.
For years, Filipino basketball fans had talked about the so-called Korean Curse because of painful defeats to Korea in important international games.
Gilas finally broke through.
The semifinal victory also guaranteed the Philippines a spot in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
It ended a nearly four-decade absence from the World Cup.
Gilas eventually lost to Iran in the championship game and finished with the silver medal.
But for Filipino fans, that silver felt like gold.
FIBA itself has described that run as the country’s famous “golden silver.” (fiba.basketball)
And sitting on that bench, still learning international basketball, was a young June Mar Fajardo.
Thirteen years later, he would retire against Iran at the exact same arena.
That’s some basketball symmetry.
2014: June Mar Goes to His First World Cup
The following year, Fajardo experienced basketball on an entirely different level.
Spain.
2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The Philippines was back on the world stage for the first time since 1978.
Gilas faced Croatia, Greece, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Senegal.
Fajardo was still mostly playing behind naturalized center Andray Blatche, but he had moments that showed his potential.
One of his best came against Greece, when he produced 10 points and seven rebounds.
Then came Senegal.
June Mar’s Breakout Game Against Senegal
Gilas had already lost four close and frustrating games.
Against Senegal, the Philippines had one final opportunity to leave Spain with a victory.
Fajardo delivered one of the best international performances of his young career.
He finished with:
15 points and 9 rebounds
The Philippines won in overtime.
It was Gilas’ first World Cup victory in decades.
Fajardo had shown that the dominant player emerging in the PBA could also compete against world-level big men.
Across the 2014 World Cup, FIBA lists him at:
- 6.6 points per game
- 4.2 rebounds
- 0.4 assists
Those numbers might not look spectacular now.
But remember where he was just one year earlier.
From barely playing in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship to contributing at the World Cup.
The growth was already happening.
June Mar Missed the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship
One important detail when looking back at his Gilas career:
Fajardo did not play in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.
The Philippines reached the championship game in Changsha and won another silver medal, but June Mar wasn’t part of that final roster because of a plantar fasciitis injury.
FIBA later confirmed that he missed the competition due to injury. (fiba.basketball)
That’s worth mentioning because it’s easy to assume June Mar was part of every major Gilas tournament during this period.
He wasn’t.
But when healthy, he kept returning.
2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila
Fajardo was back in the national-team lineup for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The tournament was again played at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gilas faced France and New Zealand as the Philippines tried to reach the Rio Olympics.
The campaign didn’t produce the Olympic qualification Filipino fans hoped for, but it became another major international tournament on Fajardo’s résumé.
He averaged 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds across the competition. (fiba.basketball)
By this point, June Mar was already one of the biggest stars in Philippine basketball.
But international basketball remained a different challenge.
That distinction became part of his career story.
PBA Dominance Didn’t Always Translate Directly to FIBA
For years, this was probably the most common discussion around Fajardo.
In the PBA?
Nearly unstoppable.
International basketball?
More complicated.
That wasn’t necessarily a criticism of June Mar.
FIBA basketball simply presents different problems.
Bigger centers.
Different defensive rules.
More physicality.
Faster decision-making.
International big men who could shoot from outside.
June Mar was often asked to play differently from the way San Miguel used him.
FIBA even published an article in 2017 asking whether that could finally be the year Fajardo fully translated his PBA dominance to Gilas. (fiba.basketball)
Over time, he adjusted.
And some of his best international basketball came later in his career.
2019 World Cup Qualifiers: June Mar Becomes More Important
During the qualifying campaign for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Fajardo became a much more significant contributor.
Across 10 games, he averaged:
- 10.8 points
- 4.7 rebounds
- 0.7 assists
That 10.8-point average remains one of his best sustained scoring stretches in senior FIBA competition.
The Philippines eventually qualified for the World Cup in China.
And June Mar was headed back to basketball’s biggest international tournament.
2019: Second FIBA World Cup
Fajardo appeared in all five Philippine games at the 2019 World Cup.
His averages:
- 7.0 points
- 5.0 rebounds
- 0.6 assists
His individual numbers were solid.
The tournament itself was difficult for Gilas.
The Philippines struggled against elite competition and failed to win a game.
Still, June Mar had now represented the Philippines at two World Cups.
Then came a much bigger challenge.
The 2020 Tibia Injury That Threatened Everything
Fajardo’s basketball journey almost changed permanently in 2020.
He suffered a serious right tibia fracture.
It wasn’t simply an injury that would keep him out for a few weeks.
There were questions about whether he could ever return to the same level.
Fajardo has since admitted that the injury brought him to one of the lowest points of his career.
He even wondered whether he would be able to continue playing basketball.
Looking back before his Gilas retirement, he described simply being able to return from that injury as a blessing.
And that gives the final years of his national-team career even more meaning.
Because he didn’t just come back.
He reached another World Cup.
He won an Asian Games gold medal.
He nearly helped Gilas reach the Olympics.
And he played until 2026. (fiba.basketball)
2023: A World Cup at Home
The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup was special for Philippine basketball.
For the first time in decades, the country was helping host the tournament.
And June Mar was there again.
His third World Cup.
At 33 years old, Fajardo was no longer the young backup center from 2013.
He was now one of the veterans.
His best game came immediately.
June Mar Scores 16 Against the Dominican Republic
In the Philippines’ opening World Cup game against the Dominican Republic, Fajardo was outstanding.
He finished with:
- 16 points
- 7 rebounds
- 5-of-5 shooting from the field
FIBA gave him an efficiency rating of 21 for the game. (fiba.basketball)
Gilas ultimately lost a close game, but June Mar proved that even at that stage of his career, he could still be highly effective against World Cup competition.
Across five games in 2023, he averaged:
- 6.6 points
- 5.0 rebounds
- 65 percent shooting
Those efficiency numbers tell you something about his role.
June Mar didn’t need 15 shots.
Give him the ball around the basket and he could still finish.
Then Came the 2023 Asian Games
Only weeks after the World Cup ended, Fajardo was called again.
This time, Gilas was headed to Hangzhou for the Asian Games.
What happened next became one of the greatest chapters in Philippine basketball history.
The Philippines reached the knockout rounds.
Beat Iran.
Produced an unforgettable comeback against host China in the semifinals.
Then defeated Jordan in the championship game.
Gold medal.
For the first time in 61 years.
Fajardo was part of the team that ended one of the longest championship droughts in Philippine sports. Official Philippine records list him among the Gilas players who won the men’s basketball gold medal in Hangzhou. (senate.gov.ph)
Think about his journey.
In 2013, June Mar was the young center on the Philippine team that won the famous silver medal.
Ten years later, he was one of the veterans on the team that finally returned the Philippines to the top of the Asian Games podium.
That gold medal is going to be one of the most important achievements on his national-team résumé.
2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament: One of June Mar’s Best Late-Career Runs
If anyone thought June Mar was already finished internationally after the Asian Games, the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia provided a reminder.
He was excellent.
Across three games, Fajardo averaged:
- 9.0 points
- 7.3 rebounds
- 1.3 assists
- 57.9 percent field-goal shooting
He scored 11 points in the Philippines’ stunning victory over Latvia.
Then, against Brazil in the semifinal, Fajardo recorded:
10 points and 11 rebounds
Gilas eventually fell short of reaching the Paris Olympics.
But that tournament remains one of the best demonstrations of how useful June Mar still was internationally in his mid-30s.
He didn’t need to dominate the way he did in the PBA.
He simply needed to do his job.
Rebound.
Finish.
Set screens.
Battle bigger players.
Create extra possessions.
That’s veteran basketball.
2025 FIBA Asia Cup
Fajardo remained part of Gilas through the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.
He played five games, averaging five points and three rebounds. (fiba.basketball)
By then, the transition toward a younger Gilas frontcourt was becoming obvious.
Kai Sotto.
AJ Edu.
Carl Tamayo.
Kevin Quiambao.
Other younger players were beginning to take larger roles.
June Mar no longer needed to be the centerpiece.
But his presence still mattered.
Especially when Gilas needed experience.
2026: One Final World Cup Qualifying Campaign
Fajardo returned again for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
And somewhere along the way, he began thinking seriously about retirement.
The body had absorbed years of PBA basketball.
Years of practices.
Years of playoffs.
Years of international camps.
Flights.
Qualifying windows.
World Cups.
Injuries.
Recovery.
At some point, there has to be a final call.
Fajardo initially considered stepping away after the third qualifying window in July.
Tim Cone asked him to stay for one more window because Gilas needed help in the frontcourt. (mb.com.ph)
And once again, June Mar said yes.
His Final Two Gilas Games Were Wins
There is something satisfying about this.
Fajardo didn’t end his Gilas career with two meaningless games.
These were huge.
August 28
Gilas Pilipinas defeated Jordan, 82–81, in overtime.
August 30
Gilas Pilipinas defeated Iran, 68–56.
The two victories moved the Philippines from 2–4 to 4–4 in Group E and revived its chances of reaching the 2027 World Cup.
So June Mar’s last contribution wasn’t ceremonial.
Gilas needed him.
He answered.
Then he left the national team in a much better position than it was in when the window began.
June Mar Played 70 Senior FIBA Games
Fajardo’s final appearance against Iran brought his total to:
70 senior FIBA games
across a 13-year international career. (gmanetwork.com)
His FIBA résumé includes:
- 2013 FIBA Asia Championship
- 2014 FIBA Asia Cup
- 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup
- 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
- 2017 SEABA Championship
- 2017 FIBA Asia Cup
- 2019 World Cup Asian Qualifiers
- 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup
- 2023 World Cup Asian Qualifiers
- 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup
- 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
- 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers
- 2025 FIBA Asia Cup
- 2027 World Cup Asian Qualifiers
And that list doesn’t even include every non-FIBA event in which he represented the Philippines, such as the Asian Games and SEA Games.
That’s a lot of Pilipinas jerseys.
Three FIBA World Cups
One of the easiest ways to summarize Fajardo’s longevity is this:
He represented the Philippines in three consecutive World Cups.
2014 – Spain
The return of the Philippines to the World Cup after decades away.
2019 – China
The next generation of Gilas trying to establish itself consistently on the world stage.
2023 – Philippines/Japan/Indonesia
A home World Cup, with June Mar now one of the veteran leaders.
Very few Filipino players get to say they appeared in one World Cup.
June Mar played in three.
His International Career Wasn’t Always Easy
And this is important.
June Mar’s Gilas story isn’t compelling because he dominated every international game.
He didn’t.
There were tournaments where his minutes were limited.
There were matchups where international big men gave him problems.
There were times Filipino fans wondered why his PBA dominance didn’t immediately translate into 20-point performances for Gilas.
There were injuries.
There were adjustments.
There were different coaches and different systems.
There were naturalized centers whose presence changed his role.
But June Mar kept coming back.
That consistency might ultimately be one of the biggest reasons he deserves so much respect.
Playing for the Philippines sounds glamorous when you’re watching the game.
It isn’t always glamorous behind the scenes.
The additional practices.
Travel.
Wear and tear.
Missing rest periods between PBA seasons.
Rehabilitation.
Physical battles against bigger international players.
Fajardo kept accepting those things for more than a decade.
His Career Came Full Circle at the MOA Arena
It’s difficult to create a better script.
Mall of Asia Arena.
A young June Mar Fajardo begins his senior national-team career.
He watches the Philippines beat Korea.
He becomes part of the team that qualifies for the World Cup.
Gilas wins silver.
Then:
Mall of Asia Arena.
A 36-year-old June Mar Fajardo walks onto the floor for the final time.
Same country on the jersey.
Iran again on the opposite side.
Another important World Cup qualifying campaign.
He hits one more jump hook.
Gilas comes back.
Philippines wins.
His teammates hand him the basketball.
The crowd chants MVP.
And he walks away.
You don’t get many endings that clean in sports.
Why Is June Mar Retiring From Gilas?
The biggest reasons are:
Age
Fajardo is 36 years old.
He turns 37 in November 2026.
Health
Years of basketball have taken a toll on his body.
He has dealt with numerous injuries, most notably the serious tibia fracture that once made him question whether his playing career could continue.
Career longevity
Fajardo still wants to continue playing professional basketball.
Reducing international commitments should give his body more recovery time and potentially allow him to extend the remaining years of his PBA career.
He told reporters before the final window that age and health were key factors in his thinking. (gmanetwork.com)
It’s difficult to argue with that.
After 13 years, he has given the national team plenty.
Who Replaces June Mar Fajardo in Gilas?
Now comes the obvious basketball question.
Who’s next?
Fortunately, Gilas has options.
Kai Sotto
This is the most obvious name.
Sotto just returned to Gilas and produced consecutive double-doubles:
vs Jordan: 18 points, 14 rebounds
vs Iran: 13 points, 16 rebounds
At 24, Kai could be the Philippines’ primary center for years.
AJ Edu
Edu might be just as important.
He had eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks against Iran.
His mobility and defensive versatility give Gilas something different from traditional Philippine centers.
Justin Arana
Arana made the active lineup against Iran after Carl Tamayo suffered an ankle injury.
He represents another physical option in the frontcourt.
Quentin Millora-Brown
Millora-Brown has also been part of the Gilas player pool and gives the Philippines another potentially useful big-man option.
Ange Kouame
Kouame remains another experienced international big man in the wider national-team picture, depending on roster construction and naturalized-player rules.
The Philippines isn’t going to find another June Mar Fajardo.
It doesn’t need to.
The next Gilas frontcourt will simply look different.
June Mar Believes Gilas Is in Good Hands
One of the nicest parts of his farewell was hearing Fajardo talk about the future.
He isn’t leaving worried that Gilas has nobody behind him.
Quite the opposite.
Fajardo has said he sees a bright future for the national team, and he has particularly praised Kai Sotto’s development.
FIBA quoted Fajardo saying he sees “a really bright future” for Gilas as he steps aside. (fiba.basketball)
It almost feels like a passing of the torch.
June Mar was once the young center watching veteran Gilas players lead the country.
Then he became the veteran.
Now Kai, AJ and the next generation move forward.
That’s how national teams work.
Kai Sotto and Juan Gomez de Liaño Wanted to Win for June Mar
The farewell wasn’t only important to Fajardo.
His teammates knew what the Iran game meant too.
Kai Sotto and Juan Gomez de Liaño both said that giving June Mar a winning sendoff provided extra motivation for the team. (sports.inquirer.net)
That’s another measure of his impact.
Younger players grew up watching June Mar dominate Philippine basketball.
Then they became his teammates.
Now they were trying to send him home with one final victory.
They did.
What Is June Mar Fajardo’s Legacy With Gilas Pilipinas?
There are more statistically dominant international players in Philippine history.
There are players who hit more memorable game-winning shots.
There are players whose personalities became more closely associated with particular Gilas eras.
But Fajardo’s legacy is built on something extremely valuable.
Longevity.
Availability.
Professionalism.
And willingness to serve.
From 2013 to 2026, Philippine basketball changed dramatically.
Different coaches.
Different naturalized players.
Different generations.
Different qualification systems.
Different leagues and schedules.
June Mar remained.
He started alongside players such as Jimmy Alapag, Marc Pingris, LA Tenorio and Ranidel de Ocampo.
Later he played with Jordan Clarkson, Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson.
And by the end, he was sharing the floor with Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao and Juan Gomez de Liaño.
That is essentially three generations of Gilas basketball connected by one player.
June Mar Fajardo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did June Mar Fajardo retire?
Yes. June Mar Fajardo officially retired from Gilas Pilipinas and international basketball following the Philippines’ victory over Iran on August 30, 2026. (gmanetwork.com)
Is June Mar Fajardo retiring from the PBA?
His announcement concerns Gilas Pilipinas and international basketball. He has not announced his retirement from professional basketball with the San Miguel Beermen.
How old is June Mar Fajardo?
Fajardo was born on November 17, 1989. He is 36 years old as of August 2026. (fiba.basketball)
How tall is June Mar Fajardo?
FIBA lists him at 211 centimeters, or approximately 6-foot-11. (fiba.basketball)
When did June Mar Fajardo start playing for Gilas?
His senior national-team career began at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in Manila.
How many years did June Mar play for Gilas?
His senior international career spanned approximately 13 years, from 2013 to 2026.
How many FIBA games did June Mar Fajardo play?
His final appearance against Iran was his 70th game in senior FIBA competition. (sports.inquirer.net)
How many FIBA World Cups did June Mar play in?
Fajardo played in three FIBA Basketball World Cups:
- 2014 in Spain
- 2019 in China
- 2023 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia
Did June Mar win an Asian Games gold medal?
Yes. He was part of the Gilas Pilipinas team that won the men’s basketball gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, ending the Philippines’ 61-year wait for another Asian Games men’s basketball championship. (senate.gov.ph)
What was June Mar’s last Gilas game?
His final game was against Iran on August 30, 2026, in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
What were his stats in his final Gilas game?
Fajardo scored six points and grabbed two rebounds in just over seven minutes as the Philippines defeated Iran, 68–56. (gmanetwork.com)
Why did June Mar retire from Gilas?
Fajardo cited his age and health as major considerations. He wants to preserve his body and enjoy the remaining years of his professional basketball career. (gmanetwork.com)
Who will replace June Mar in Gilas?
There won’t necessarily be one direct replacement. Kai Sotto and AJ Edu are expected to take increasingly important roles, while other big men such as Justin Arana, Quentin Millora-Brown and others could provide additional depth.
Final Thoughts
For years, June Mar Fajardo made answering the call for Gilas Pilipinas look routine.
Maybe that’s why his retirement feels a little strange.
He was just always there.
Different coach?
June Mar.
Different tournament?
June Mar.
Different generation of teammates?
June Mar.
World Cup in Spain?
There.
World Cup in China?
There.
World Cup at home?
There.
Asian Games gold medal?
There.
Olympic qualifier in Latvia?
There.
Critical World Cup qualifying games in 2026?
Still there.
And perhaps that is the best way to understand his Gilas legacy.
It wasn’t one game.
It wasn’t one tournament.
It wasn’t one highlight.
It was 13 years.
His national-team journey began as a young backup center during the unforgettable 2013 FIBA Asia Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.
He barely played.
The Philippines won silver and qualified for the World Cup.
A year later, he was in Spain battling some of the world’s best players.
Five years after that, he was playing in another World Cup.
Then came the tibia fracture that made him wonder whether he would play basketball again.
He recovered.
Played in a third World Cup.
Won Asian Games gold.
Helped Gilas upset Latvia in an Olympic qualifier.
And finally, at 36 years old, returned for one more qualifying window because Tim Cone asked for his help.
Jordan.
Iran.
Two wins.
The Philippines goes from 2–4 to 4–4.
Then June Mar walks toward center court.
His teammates hand him the ball.
Thousands of fans chant “MVP.”
And one of the longest Gilas Pilipinas careers of the modern era comes to an end at the exact arena where it started.
That’s a pretty good way to say goodbye.
The national team will move forward.
Kai Sotto is ready for a larger role.
AJ Edu is developing.
A new generation is taking over.
That’s basketball.
But whenever Filipino fans look back at this era of Gilas Pilipinas—the era that returned to the World Cup, hosted a World Cup and finally won Asian Games gold again—June Mar Fajardo will be part of the story.
Not because he demanded the spotlight.
That’s never really been his personality.
But because for 13 years, whenever the Philippines needed another big man willing to put his body on the line, June Mar Fajardo kept showing up.
Seventy FIBA games.
Three World Cups.
An Asian Games gold medal.
And one final victory at home.
Salamat, June Mar.
