Baldwin hopes Fajardo gets more international burn to improve

MANILA, Philippines – Newly appointed national men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin is looking to mold rising big man June Mar Fajardo for international play, which could turn him into a potential threat and solid option for the center position of Gilas Pilipinas.

Baldwin said that in order for the 25-year old to take his game to the next level, Fajardo needs to get more international burn.

“June Mar has got to take more steps forward internationally. He’s doing a great job in the PBA. He’s a real tough assignment for any team but internationally he’s just another big man,” the 56-year old Baldwin told a small group or sports reporters on Tuesday, December 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“While we need big men, we need quality big men.”

After a quiet showing in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, where Gilas claimed the silver, Fajardo came alive in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, holding his own against the worlds most dominant big men with averages of 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 12.8 minutes a game.

While Fajardo’s PBA Most Valuable Player award likely helped his confidence and proved his supremacy among local players, it could also hinder him from further improving his game.

Baldwin believes the 6-foot-11 Fajardo has hit a wall in the PBA and the only way he can move forward is for him to be more exposed in the international level.

Baldwin on Fajardo: June Mar has got to take more steps forward internationally. #rstream @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/WKMcTlF58w

— Jane Bracher (@janebracher) December 23, 2014

“I think the type of resistance he gets here in the PBA doesn’t help to develop him,” the former Gilas consultant said. “When the imports come in in the next conferences he’ll have more competition but that’s what he really needs. He needs a lot of exposure to international basketball to continue to adapt to his game.”

Fajardo has been on a tear in the current Philippine Cup, leading his team to the top of the standings and to the semifinals series.

The 2012 first overall pick has come up with 19 points and 12 rebounds per game so far this conference and has become a match-up problem for most teams.

“June Mar has to continue to step forward and continue to become a better international big man and I think that’s only gonna happen at the international level,” Baldwin said.

It is still uncertain whether or not Fajardo will be part of Baldwin’s new Gilas pool as the new coach says he will work with PBA coaches as well as collegiate coaches to form his line-up over the coming several months.

The nationals are expected to compete in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in the hope of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics. – Rappler.com