MANY-TIME Gilas slotman June Mar Fajardo may not know this, but if plans don't miscarry, the seven-time PBA Most Valuable Player could be heading to an unprecedented fourth FIBA World Cup appearance.

But that may only happen, barring any injury when the next World Cup shifts to Doha, Qatar.

At 33, Fajardo has been part of the tournament known previously as the World Championships in 2014 in Seville, Spain, 2019 in Beijing, China and the one the Philippines co-hosted in 2023.

There's no doubt that Fajardo remains the most dominant big man in the country, and is fresh from leading San Miguel Beer to its 29th PBA championship.

Fajardo said he has never given a careful thought of that possibility, but should that happen, he would consider it an honor.

"We will see if that happens but of course, if that happens, it's going to be an honor and I'm happy to be playing at Gilas. Of course, I wish I could play (in the World Cup) by then," Fajardo said in Filipino during the press conference on Monday.

The Cebuano slotman though will miss the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers where Gilas plays Hong Kong and Taiwan.

He's been ruled out due to a partial muscle tear on his left calf, which he sustained in the recent PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.

Japeth Aguilar has been tapped to take his spot, and will serve as a backup to young big man Kai Sotto.

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