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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Fajardo, Perez, Oftana rejoin Gilas after hard-fought Finals series

Fajardo, Perez, Oftana rejoin Gilas after hard-fought Finals series

Published Jul 27, 2025 05:41 pm

At A Glance

  • The focus quickly shifted to Gilas Pilipinas duties as Philippine Cup Finals protagonists June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez and Calvin Oftana showed up in the final day of national team training on Sunday, July 27 at the Hustle Fitness in Pampanga.
Gilas Pilipinas team at training camp. (SBP)
Gilas Pilipinas team at training camp. (SBP)
The focus quickly shifted to Gilas Pilipinas duties as Philippine Cup Finals protagonists June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez and Calvin Oftana showed up in the final day of national team training on Sunday, July 27 at the Hustle Fitness in Pampanga.
The trio was coming off a hard fought six-game series with the side of Fajardo and Perez, the San Miguel Beermen coming out on top to claim the all-Filipino crown and stop the Oftana and his TNT Tropang 5G from completing a Grand Slam.
“Gilas Pilipinas ends its camp in Pampanga,” the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas wrote in a post that showed the three, as well as TNT assistant coach Josh Reyes finally rejoining the team for its buildup for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.
Still, Fajardo and Oftana are unlikely to suit up for the team for their sendoff game against the Macau Black Bears as they were needing every opportunity to rest after playing through injuries throughout the Philippine Cup playoffs.
The 6-foot-10 center is nursing a calf injury while Oftana had calf and ankle issues.
Perez, meanwhile, is looking to join the rest of the team that included AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Dwight Ramos, Kevin Quiambao, Chris Newsome, Jamie Malonzo, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, RJ Abarrientos, Troy Rosario and Jamie Malonzo.
“Hindi mo maiisip ‘yung pagod pag nanalo ka eh. Pag nanalo ka talagang kahit na may susunod na game, excited ka. Excited ka kasi para bayan, syempre matagal-tagal na rin tayong naglalaro para sa Gilas so I’m always excited para sa bayan,” said Perez.
“I’m grateful and honored na i-represent ‘yung country,” he added.
Gilas is expected to fly on the 30th to Jeddah where they will make the finishing touches to the preparations for the games against Iraq, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei in the group stage.
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