GILAS Pilipinas will not have big men June Mar Fajardo (calf) and AJ Edu (knee) when it takes on Hong Kong on the road tonight in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
But Fajardo is convinced the Nationals’ other centers such as Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, and replacement Japeth Aguilar can hold the fort.
“Hindi naman na mga bata sina Kai, kasi sobrang exposed na sila sa international games,” Fajardo said. “Kaya na nilang makapagsabayan.”
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo admitted missing Gilas’ opening round matches hurts but erring on the side of caution is crucial in his recovery.
“Nakakalungkot kasi gusto ko maglaro sa Gilas. Pero sinabihan ako ng doktor na magpahinga,” Fajardo said.
“Pero ginagawa ko naman iyong best ko na sana mag-heal kaagad para makahabol kami sa mga practices.”
Gilas clashes with Chinese Taipei on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena.
The second round of the qualifiers is set for Nov. 21 and Nov. 24.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto is ready to rise to the occasion, inspired by the fact he will play for coach Tim Cone–who coached his father, Ervin, at the defunct Alaska franchise.
“Sobrang dami ko natututunan kay coach Tim,” Sotto said. “Kahit dati pa iyong dad ko naging player ni coach Tim, ang dami niyang istorya. Really good stories about coach Tim.
“Ako, na-witness ko siya ng player na ako under him. Sobrang dami kong natututunan and I think lahat kami, sa short period of time ang dami kong natututunan and marami kaming ia-apply pagdating sa games.”
Sotto will team up with the likes of naturalized star Justin Brownlee, former MVP Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Dwight Ramos, Tamayo, and Kevin Quiambao.
Sotto said the absence of Fajardo and Edu will give them a chance to prove their real worth.
“We’re missing two key players so the rest will have to step up,” Sotto said. “Everybody’s ready to step up dito sa parating na window kaya I’m confident sa team namin.”
Cone agreed with Sotto’s sentiments, saying: “You think about it. That’s 6’11” and 6’10” that we won’t have. These are the things that happen to any basketball team.”
“You have injuries … and these kinds of things happen all the time. You just have to roll with the punches and continue to deal with it.”
