CONE EXPECTS JMF TO PLAY FOR GILAS IN FIBA

TIM Cone expects the PBA’s eight-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo (JMF) to see action in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 after resting during Gilas Pilipinas’ send-off game versus the Macao Black Bears on Monday night.

The 6-foot-10 Fajardo sat out the game against the Black Bears, whom the Filipinos beat, 103-98, after climbing out of a 21-point hole in the first half.

The Cebuano star center was nursing a calf strain, which he played through during the San Miguel Beermen’s title-clinching 4-2 series win against the TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA Philippine Cup finals last week.

“He (Fajardo) will have two or three more days off from physical activities,” Cone said, with the American mentor relying more on Japeth Aguilar, young big man AJ Edu and Carl Tamayo in Gilas’ match versus Macao.

“But we expect him to start practicing when we arrive there [in Jeddah].”

Cone’s only concern, which he intends to address upon arriving in Saudi Arabia, is how the players will have to adjust with Fajardo.

“He changes the game for us,” said Cone, noting how Fajardo, the 11-time PBA champion, plays for Gilas.

“We have to play a different way with June Mar on the floor,” added the American mentor, whose entire Gilas delegation left Manila on Wednesday to start its trip to Jeddah, site of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, which will start on Aug. 6.

Of course, Fajardo, who has played for Gilas since the 2013 FIBA Asia tournament in Manila, will be one of the key forecourt players for Cone.

In fact, without young big man Kai Sotto at the slot, Fajardo’s vast international experience and high basketball IQ will be valuable for Gilas, which is out to win the tournament.

“He has such an impact that you have to play differently when he’s on the floor,” said Cone on Fajardo.

Sotto is still recovering from surgery since tearing his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) on his knee last January.

Gilas is slated to play Jordan in Saudi Arabia in its last friendly game, before opening the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 against Taiwan on Aug. 6.

2025-07-30T16:14:59Z