Take a bow, Kraken

When June Mar Fajardo got subbed out by AJ Edu at the 9:28 mark of the final period in Gilas Pilipinas’ gutsy 68-56 win over Iran in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers last 30 August at the Mall of Asia Arena, it marked the end of an era in Philippine basketball.

For the simple reason that Fajardo had played his last game for the Philippine men’s basketball team.

Thirteen years with Gilas Pilipinas has been more than enough quality time and effort for the gentle giant.

FIBA Asia silver medal in 2013. Back to the FIBA World Cup after nearly 40 years. Three World Cup appearances. Asian Games gold in 2023 — the country’s first men’s basketball gold in 61 years. SEABA gold and countless other battles wearing the Pilipinas jersey.

June Mar was part of it all.

Sure, many will say that compared to his overwhelming PBA dominance, he wasn’t quite the same June Mar when playing against athletes his size — or bigger — in international competitions.

But that’s because he had to play within a system.

His national team coaches knew it was the right and smart thing to do. And June Mar did it to the best of his abilities.

He was never the guy that needed to have the ball every possession. He accepted his role, battled the bigger bodies, set screens, rebounded, defended and did the dirty work.

Many times in the last few FIBA qualifying windows, Fajardo had already sent feelers about begging off because of injuries — even in this last one. But in the end, he would still be part of the Gilas roster.

Turning his back on flag and country was never in June Mar’s dictionary.

But with the “Kraken” turning 37 in two months, and minor injuries becoming more regular, perhaps our basketball leaders finally decided to grant his desire to give the younger bigs their time to shine and retire from international competition.

And for good reason.

Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, Quentin Millora-Brown, Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar and Geo Chiu are already in the national team pool. Gilas’ frontline is in good hands for the next decade at least. And then there’s naturalized Filipino Bennie Boatwright, who is even taller than Justin Brownlee, whom the former will eventually be replacing.

When the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup resumes on 7 October, I expect it and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to give Fajardo his formal Gilas retirement ceremony at halftime of one of San Miguel Beer’s upcoming games, much like what fellow Gilas big Japeth Aguilar received a few months back.

Take a bow, Kraken.

It will be well deserved.

Thank you for your service to our country.

With Fajardo’s Gilas era now over, one can’t help but wonder if his PBA days are also nearing their end at 37.

Nah, I don’t think so.

I still believe June Mar can dominate the PBA for a couple more years with that 6-11 frame, and his experience, especially in the Philippine Cup.

I still can’t see anyone matching up to him.

He just needs to invest more in his health and maybe develop that three-point while San Miguel needs to manage his minutes and preserve him more for the playoffs.

Besides, despite his record nine Most Valuable Player awards, record 13 Best Player of the Conference awards, record five Finals MVPs, 12 championships, 10 Mythical First Team selections and eight All-Defensive Team selections, there’s still one thing missing in his “baul” of accomplishments.

That elusive grand slam.

Right, June Mar?