Teamup with Brownlee excites MVP Fajardo

June Mar Fajardo, the most dominant player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) could find himself joining Justin Brownlee, the most successful import in recent years, in Gilas Pilipinas.

And no one is more excited about that possibility than the six-time Most Valuable Player awardee.

“They are very happy to be with each other during training,” Fajardo told the Inquirer when asked about the American forward who could sign for Gilas Pilipinas in the sixth and final window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers this month.

“He was hurt when we played against him, but now I’m very happy to be with him on the pitch,” he said.

Brownlee, no complications, will spearhead the National Team when they host red-hot Lebanon and vengeful Jordan later this month.

Fajardo, meanwhile, is key for Gilas after he missed the previous window due to a procedure to repair his throat.

A fixture of the national cage program and veteran of two World Cups, the soft-spoken center from Cebu said that he had an idea of ​​how much more fun it is to play together with Brownlee, winner of six PBA crowns and three-time Best Import awardee.

“There is no arrogance in him. He has made some achievements in his time in the PBA, but he remains humble. So I am happy,” he said.

Threats from within

The setup resonates not only with Fajardo, but with Gilas’ other recruits, who have long undermined Brownlee’s dominance.

Like, say, Meralco’s Chris Newsome.

“Play with them—not against them,” he said in an earlier interview. “He’s got a lot of experience and he’s one of the best import players I’ve had. I’m just going to be a sponge and try to absorb as much information and knowledge from JB as I can.

With Brownlee and Fajardo in one crew, Gilas can enjoy being a threat from inside and outside-something that national coach Reyes hopes to ride in the two homestands that will be played at the cavernous Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“Immediately, there will be changes with Justin and June Mar – hopefully – available. Immediately, there will be changes [the team’s] dynamics, right?” Reyes told the Inquirer earlier.

The Philippines currently holds a 5-3 win-loss record in the tournament and is looking to continue to build a head of steam in the buildup to the global games, which also runs through the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia this summer.

“As far as I know, I’m very happy to play for Gilas again. You can count on me to give my best and follow the coach’ [plans]. I hope we can get good results,” said Fajardo.

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