MANILA – Ella Fajardo is still in disbelief following her selection to the Gilas Pilipinas women’s squad for the forthcoming 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Amman, Jordan.
“It’s such a surreal moment. It’s always been a dream of mine since the sixth grade,” the 5-foot-6 Fajardo told One Sports’ The Game recently.
“I remember coach Pat [Aquino] inviting me to a Gilas practice, and he let me do the mini drills in the beginning. Once they started playing and really going hardcore, that’s when I’d sit out and watch them,” she went on.
The 18-year-old Fajardo, who traces her roots from Bacolod City, stated she is relishing this opportunity to not just representing the country but playing alongside the likes of Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, and Chack Cabinbin.
“To be representing my country and playing alongside with them is a dream come true,” according to Fajardo, who is one of four newcomers to Team Philippines, alongside Ilongga Karl Ann Pingol, Camille Clarin, and Kristine Cayabyab.
This will be Fajardo’s debut with the 5-on-5 national women’s basketball team after representing the country in international games as a member of the national 3×3 basketball squad before.
Fajardo is an incoming freshman at Fairleigh Dickinson University in the United States of America’s NCAA Division 1./PN
