June Mar Fajardo takes on the challenge of holding the fort underneath with a couple of key absences in Gilas Pilipinas’ center spot for the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Availability woes left the Tim Cone-mentored squad without two frontline muscles in 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto and 6-foot-10 Quentin Millora-Brown.

This huge blow to its personnel left Gilas with just Fajardo as the lone pure center for the upcoming matches against New Zealand and Australia on 26 February and 1 March, respectively.

The 36-year-old nine-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Most Valuable Player knows it will be a tall order beating the much taller Tall Blacks and Boomers. But Gilas’ collective effort to compensate for its lack of ceiling will give them a fighting chance against the giants of Oceania.

“Of course, we’re preparing for our game in the upcoming window,” Fajardo said after receiving his seventh Mr. Basketball recognition during the San Miguel Corp.-Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards held last Monday night at the Diamond Hotel.

“For sure, it won’t be easy for us. It’s going to be tough. No easy games against them. But what we can do is to play our best to win.”

Gilas is unbeaten in two games after sweeping Guam for a tie with the Aussies, who have beaten their Kiwi counterparts twice.

“They’re tough opponents. We know how strong they are and it won’t be easy playing them,” the 6-foot-10 big man said.

“But we’re here, so we have to prepare and do all the necessary action plans and practices. We have to take this seriously and do what we need to do,” he added.

Fajardo is hopeful of a huge crowd turnout at the Mall of Asia Arena to fuel and boost Gilas confidence.

“We’re confident (we could win) because we’re in our homecourt. Our fans and kababayans will be there to give us extra boost for sure,” Fajardo said.

The Cebu pride is also preparing for the possibility of extra playing time despite the addition of Justine Baltazar to boost Gilas’ frontline alongside AJ Edu.

“I’m trying to get as much rest as I can. It’s back to training for me and I’m trying to stay sharp,” he said.

The San Miguel Beer star, who helped the Beermen retain the Season 50 Philippine Cup title, allayed concerns about his shoulder and minor knee injuries he sustained during his PBA campaign.

“It’s okay now. I’m doing some therapy and it’s okay,” Fajardo said.