Austria confident Fajardo will still vie for spot in 2023 Gilas team

MANILA, Philippines – By the time 2023 comes around, young big men Kai Sotto and AJ Edu may very well be the best centers in the Philippines, worthy of leading the national team in FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Yet San Miguel head coach Leo Austria is confident that June Mar Fajardo, the reigning four-time PBA Most Valuable Player, will still be in contention for a spot in the 2023 iteration of Gilas Pilipinas.


Fajardo will be 34 years old by then, and perhaps will not be as dominant as he is now. By then, the 7-foot Sotto – who is only 15 years old right now – may even supplant Fajardo as the best big man in the country.

Still, Austria stressed that the "Kraken" cannot be counted out.

"It will depend during that span of time, kung sino ang magde-develop," Austria said after wrapping up San Miguel Beer's practice on Tuesday afternoon. "But definitely, June Mar Fajardo will be a candidate kung dumating ang oras."

Photo: ABS-CBN News
Author: Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
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