Camille Naredo

June Mar Fajardo of the Philippines in action against Iran in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, August 30, 2026 at the Mall of Asia Arena. FIBA photo


Article (news)

FIBA

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — June Mar Fajardo has officially called time on his career with the men&#x27;s national basketball team after over a decade of service.The Gilas Pilipinas veteran made sure to go out on a high note, producing six points and two rebounds in over seven minutes of play in their 68-56 win over Iran.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/30/fiba-all-filipino-gilas-outlasts-iran-to-sweep-homestand-2145">READ: All-Filipino Gilas outlasts Iran to sweep homestand</a></div>After the final buzzer, the nine-time PBA MVP confirmed he officially played his last game in a Gilas uniform.&quot;Last game na, last game na talaga,&quot; Fajardo told reporters on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.&quot;Kung ano &#x27;yung pwede mo maitulong, ibibigay ko. Ibibigay ko kasi gusto ko i-cherish &#x27;yung last game ko,&quot; he said of his performance.Gilas head coach Tim Cone said Fajardo initially told them about his plan to retire from national team duties after the third window last July. The Gilas veteran even gave a lengthy, emotional speech in the team&#x27;s locker room.But Fajardo, who always says yes for the flag, answered the call of Cone and Gilas team manager Alfrancis Chua to reconsider his decision.Now that Gilas has beaten Jordan and Iran, Fajardo seems to have made up his mind about hanging up his jersey after their home games.&quot;Hindi, hindi. &#x27;Yun na &#x27;yun. Last ko na talaga ito. Kinuha ko na nga &#x27;yung bola na ito eh,&quot; he responded when asked if he changed his mind about retiring.&quot;Ito na &#x27;yun, ito na talaga. Ramdam ko na sa sarili ko, so ramdam ko na sa katawan ko,&quot; Fajardo explained.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/25/june-mar-fajardo-pondering-nat-l-team-retirement-after-13-years-with-gilas-0013">READ: June Mar Fajardo pondering nat&#x27;l team retirement after 13 years with Gilas</a></div>When Fajardo entered the game at the 3:41 mark of the second quarter, he was greeted by cheers from the packed home crowd. The nine-time PBA MVP immediately made an impact, scoring all of his six points in just seven minutes.Cone jokingly told Fajardo this will not be his last game for the national team.&quot;Well, I was kidding June Mar, and I turned to him and said, &#x27;I refuse, June Mar. You&#x27;re still gonna be on call.&#x27; I told him, &#x27;You never know what&#x27;s gonna happen, so you&#x27;re still on call,&#x27;&quot; Cone shared at the post-game press conference.&quot;His intention is to retire from Gilas, but, um, I&#x27;m not sure we&#x27;re gonna let him do that,&quot; Cone added with a laugh.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788108998890viber_image_2026-08-31_00-42-00-748.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="June Mar Fajardo of the Philippines in action against Iran in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, August 30, 2026 at the Mall of Asia Arena. FIBA photo"/>June Mar Fajardo of the Philippines in action against Iran in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, August 30, 2026 at the Mall of Asia Arena. FIBA photo</div>The Gilas mentor lauded Fajardo for his contribution in the second quarter, which came at a time when they needed it the most.&quot;That was huge. Like I said earlier, when he [Fajardo] got the ball and made that turn and landed that jump hook, the crowd went absolutely crazy. That kind of gave us that lift going into halftime,&quot; Cone said.&quot;That really elevated the crowd and elevated the whole team. We all got excited about that. He did really good defensively, too. They tried to attack him a few times and he did a really good job defensively,&quot; he added.Gilas gave him the game ball during their final huddle while the fans chanted &quot;MVP&quot; as he stood in the center of the court.&quot;Nakakatuwa, nakakataba ng puso. Sobrang thankful ako... Siyempre nakakatuwa na dito ako sa home court mag-reretire,&quot; Fajardo said.&quot;Maraming salamat sa fans, sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin, sa lahat ng fans na nagpunta talaga dito para suportahan kami, maraming salamat sa inyo. Sana ipagpatuloy niyo pa &#x27;yung pagsuporta sa national team,&quot; he added.Fajardo earlier said he is confident he is leaving Gilas in good hands, citing young talents <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/30/fiba-cone-sees-difference-maker-kai-sotto-as-key-to-gilas-ceiling-2332">Kai Sotto</a>, <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/30/fiba-nearly-ruled-out-vs-iran-ramos-powers-gilas-through-flu-game-2348">Dwight Ramos</a>, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, and <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/31/fiba-motivated-by-home-crowd-juan-gdl-steps-up-for-gilas-0009">Juan Gomez de Liaño</a>.&quot;Sobrang bright ng future ng Gilas, kita naman natin. Basta healthy lang sila lagi... Sila na &#x27;yung magdadala ng team. Sila na &#x27;yung present, so sila na rin &#x27;yung future,&quot; he shared.&quot;Sobrang blessed ko na nakasama ko &#x27;yung pioneer ng Gilas, &#x27;yung mga Gilas before. Nakalaro ko &#x27;yung present at &#x27;yung future. Sobrang blessed ko,&quot; Fajardo added.Fajardo&#x27;s 13-year career with Gilas Pilipinas included 70 FIBA games, three FIBA World Cup appearances, gold medals in the Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, and SEABA Championship, alongside numerous battles in the region and the continent.Despite the bittersweet moment, Fajardo left the court with a big smile on his face, knowing he gave his all for the national team across more than a decade of service.&quot;Ito, ipapa-frame ko ito. Lahat ng sinuot ko ngayon, i-kekeep ko ito tapos ilalagay ko, &#x27;last game,&#x27;&quot; he said.&quot;Gusto ko na ano, ginawa ko &#x27;yung best ko, binigay ko &#x27;yung best ko. Naglaro ako ng tama. Ayun, na-represent ko &#x27;yung Pilipinas sa abot ng makakaya ko,&quot; Fajardo shared.

June Mar Fajardo has officially called time on his career with the men's national basketball team after over a decade of service.

June Mar Fajardo has officially called time on his career with the men's national basketball team after over a decade of service.

'Last game na talaga:' June Mar Fajardo calls time on Gilas Pilipinas career

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'Last game na talaga:' June Mar Fajardo calls time on Gilas Pilipinas career

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 31, 2026 01:14 AM PHT

Read More:

basketball

FIBA

FIBA World Cup

FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

June Mar Fajardo

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