Window of opportunity

June Mar Fajardo is calling it a career, most likely after the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers. The 36-year-old center has been central to the Gilas Pilipinas campaign, be it the worlds or the Olympic qualifiers or its golden redemption in the Asiad. But the inch or two shy of seven feet may no longer be around when the team defends its continental title next month in Japan.

After 13 years, Fajardo is giving his spot to younger players willing and able to play for flag and country. Indeed, playing for personal and national glory pales the color of money in the professional league. He has seen the national team rise and fall against the world. While the mammoth of the south was dwarfed in the worlds, he was the par, and part and art of the historic team that shocked Latvia in the Olympic qualifiers.

Stunning, within the context of basketball being a sport for the tall and the hefty, otherwise known as the African-Americans and the Europeans. For a short race to penetrate and sting may not be everything. But it is something. It says something. Just like what Alex Eala is doing in tennis. She rejuvenates the declining sport of tennis in terms of following, viewership and fan base. The country does not lack for diehard fans, be it in sports, pageantry or politics, the first two unifying but the last one polarizing.

Gilas may never be the same again without Fajardo. But Kai Sotto, AJ Edu and Justine Baltazar could alternate or collaborate to avoid his void. Large shoes to fill, with nine most valuable player accolades, the most by any man in history. He could make it perfect 10 as he stays longer in the country’s premiere basketball league. But with larger patience and humility to emulate. The gentle giant refused to join the tumultuous affray against players from the two-in-one country and continent.

Gilas is about to lose its central figure, it also temporarily loses Justin Brownlee to injury. Big loss, one permanent the other temporary, combined a huge challenge for the team forced to transition by the absence of its valuables. Transition is not resurrection. Everyone is replaceable, but a few are too unique and special they cannot be reproduced, not even by genetics. Anyone who attempts to clone the enthroned is bound to drown. History gives humanity a few special persons to redefine human history, be it in sports, business or politics. Or life in general. Some of them rewarded, some of them persecuted.