Rookie center June Mar Fajardo is slowly getting his groove back at Petron after spending the past three months with the Gilas Pilipinas national squad.
He admits that rejoining his club takes a bit of adjustment, given the difference in the roles he plays for the two teams.
“Sa Gilas more on defense ako, pang-match up sa malalaki, pero dito sa Petron, pino-focus nila ako sa opensa,” Fajardo told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview.
His transition from being a defensive player to one of the team’s focal points on offense wasn’t easy.
“Nung second game pangit talaga ang laro ko. Pero pasalamat ako talaga sa mga teammates ko kasi bino-boost nila yung confidence ko,” said the top overall pick.
Veteran center Danny Ildefonso has been instrumental in Fajardo’s adjustment back to the team.
“Malaki yung role niya. Talagang tinuturuan niya ako,” said Fajardo.
Petron coach Gee Abanilla acknowledged Ildefonso’s role in Fajardo’s development.
“Danny I is doing a good job. He’s been giving him advice, giving him experience that he had. Mas napapadali kay June Mar yung mga nangyayari. And dahil idol niya rin si Danny I, talagang nakikinig siya,” said Abanilla.
Fajardo finished with 17 points and nine rebounds in Petron’s blowout win on Wednesday over the Air 21 Express, and Abanilla is confident the 6-foot-10 behemoth can follow through on the performance consistently.
“It’s just a matter of reacquainting himself to us. He’s been away from quite sometime, but he’s getting himself accustomed to his role in the team,” said Abanilla.
Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/danny-ildefonso-helps-june-mar-fajardo-adjust-back-to-petron-after-gilas-pilipinas-stint
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