By Adrian Stewart Co

Ella Fajardo is still in disbelief with her call up to the Gilas Pilipinas women’s team that will compete in the upcoming 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Amman, Jordan.

Fajardo, who has roots from Bacolod City, said that she is still pinching herself in disbelief that she is now part of the seniors team of the national women’s basketball team.

“It’s such a surreal moment. It’s always been a dream of mine since the sixth grade,” the 5-foot-6 Fajardo said in an interview with 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 added.

The 18-year-old Fajardo further said she is relishing this opportunity to not only represent the country, but playing alongside the likes of Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos and Chack Cabinbin.

“I never expected that it would be this soon that coach Pat had to trust me to be on the team with my ates,” Fajardo said. “I’ve looked up to them my whole life and I’ve watched every single game of theirs.”

“To be representing my country and playing alongside with them is a dream come true,” added Fajardo, who is one of the four new players in the Team Philippines aside from 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 before as part of the national 3×3 basketball squad in international events.

“My heart is where my home is, my country, the Philippines,” Fajardo said. “Like what I said before, I really do plan to represent my country as much as I can.”

Fajardo is an incoming college freshman student with US NCAA Division 1 school Fairleigh Dickinson University after spending her high school years with the Gill St. Bernard School in New Jersey./ASC, WDJ