June Mar Fajardo has already built a basketball résumé few Filipino players can match. Known throughout Philippine basketball as “The Kraken,” the San Miguel Beermen center has combined remarkable size, consistency and longevity to become one of the defining players of his generation.
Now 36, Fajardo has reached another major turning point in his career. The 6-foot-11 big man has stepped away from international basketball after more than a decade representing the Philippines, bringing an end to his run with Gilas Pilipinas.
His national-team retirement does not mean his playing career is finished. Fajardo remains active with the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association, where he continues to compete at a high level.
Gilas Retirement
Fajardo officially closed his chapter with Gilas Pilipinas following the Philippines’ 68-56 victory over Iran in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The decision ended a national-team journey spanning roughly 13 years.
His departure carries particular significance because Fajardo has been one of the Philippines’ most recognizable interior players during an era in which Gilas repeatedly competed against stronger and taller international opponents.
Rather than disappearing from basketball entirely, he can now concentrate on his remaining PBA career while a younger generation takes on greater responsibility for the national team.
FIBA Legacy
Fajardo’s international career included appearances across several of basketball’s biggest competitions.
He accumulated around 70 FIBA appearances and participated in three FIBA Basketball World Cups, an achievement that places him among the more experienced Filipino players of the modern era.
Playing internationally required Fajardo to adjust from the style that made him so dominant in the PBA. Opponents at the World Cup level frequently featured taller, more athletic frontcourts, forcing him to battle against elite centers from basketball’s strongest nations.
His willingness to repeatedly answer national-team calls became an important part of his reputation.
Fajardo’s Gilas career ultimately became about more than individual statistics. He provided the Philippines with a reliable presence around the basket and valuable experience during several different versions of the national program.
PBA Superstar
While international basketball expanded his profile, Fajardo’s extraordinary PBA career established his place in Philippine basketball history.
The Cebu-born center entered the league as the first overall selection in the 2012 PBA Draft, with San Miguel selecting a player who would eventually become the centerpiece of its frontcourt.
Few could have predicted just how decorated that career would become.
Fajardo has collected a record nine PBA Most Valuable Player awards, separating himself from every other player in the league’s MVP history.
Winning one MVP award can define a career. Fajardo’s ability to remain in that conversation across numerous seasons illustrates the consistency that has distinguished him from his peers.
Season 50 Race
Even after years of awards and championships, Fajardo remains a major factor in the PBA.
He has positioned himself among the leading contenders in the Season 50 MVP race, giving him an opportunity to add another remarkable individual honor to an already unprecedented collection.
His continued production is particularly notable considering the physical demands placed on traditional centers.
At 6 feet 11 inches and approximately 268 pounds, Fajardo has spent much of his professional career absorbing contact in the paint, fighting for rebounds and defending opposing big men.
Yet his effectiveness has lasted well into his 30s.
That longevity is one reason discussions about the greatest players in Philippine basketball increasingly include Fajardo alongside celebrated names from earlier generations.
San Miguel Success
Fajardo’s career has also been defined by team success.
He has been part of 12 PBA championship teams, helping San Miguel maintain its status as one of Philippine basketball’s most successful franchises.
His role goes beyond simply being the tallest player on the floor.
Fajardo’s combination of footwork, positioning, rebounding and finishing around the rim has made him exceptionally difficult to contain in domestic competition. Defenses often have to devote additional attention to him inside, creating opportunities elsewhere for San Miguel’s offense.
That sustained impact explains why he has remained central to the Beermen despite roster and league changes around him.
Why “The Kraken”?
Fajardo’s famous “Kraken” nickname has become almost inseparable from his identity.
The name fits the imposing presence he brings to the court. His height and strength immediately stand out, but relying solely on physical size would underestimate what has made him successful.
His touch near the basket, understanding of positioning and ability to control rebounds have allowed him to turn those physical advantages into consistent production.
He has also developed the patience needed to deal with double teams and opponents specifically designing defensive plans around limiting him.
That combination helped transform a highly promising first overall draft pick into a record-breaking MVP.
Cebu Roots
Born on November 17, 1989, Fajardo’s journey began far from the bright lights surrounding the PBA’s biggest games.
His rise from Cebu basketball to becoming the league’s premier center has become one of the most notable career stories in modern Philippine sports.
Unlike players whose reputation rests on one unforgettable tournament or championship, Fajardo has built his standing through sustained excellence.
Season after season, he has accumulated championships, MVP awards and national-team appearances while remaining closely associated with one PBA franchise.
What Comes Next?
Fajardo’s retirement from Gilas creates an important transition for Philippine basketball.
Younger frontcourt players, including Kai Sotto, are expected to carry greater responsibility as the national team moves forward. Replacing Fajardo, however, is not simply about finding another tall center.
His experience accumulated through World Cups, qualifiers and years of high-pressure international games cannot immediately be replicated.
For Fajardo, attention now shifts more firmly toward San Miguel and the remaining years of his professional career.
Another strong Season 50 campaign could further strengthen an already historic résumé.
Whether June Mar Fajardo ultimately finishes with nine MVP awards or adds even more hardware, his position in PBA history is already secure.
He has been a nine-time MVP, 12-time PBA champion, three-time World Cup participant and longtime Gilas Pilipinas center while spending his professional career as the imposing centerpiece of San Miguel.
His international retirement closes one significant chapter, but “The Kraken” has not left the court.
Fajardo remains an active force in the PBA, where every additional milestone now adds to a career that has already changed the standard for dominance among Filipino big men.
