FAJARDO
CEBUANO big man June Mar Fajado of the San Miguel Beermen is set to be named as the PBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for a record third straight year today, and league legend Ramon Fernandez is not the least bit surprised.
Fernandez and fellow great Alvin Patrimonio are the only two players who have won four MVP awards in the PBA. Fernandez won it in 1982, 1984, 1986 and 1988 while Patrimonio got it in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1997.
The 26-year-old Fajardo, who hails from Pinamungajan town, southwestern Cebu, joined the league in 2012 and won his first MVP award in 2014.
He made it back-to-back after winning the top individual award in 2015. He is set to receive his third straight MVP award today right before the start of Game 4 of the Governors’ Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco.
“He will overtake us. Me and Alvin’s (Patrimonio) record, he will surely break it,” said Fernandez in a talk with Cebu Daily News.
Generally regarded as the country’s greatest basketball player in a decorated 19-year career that saw him win four MVP awards and set the all-time mark in points, rebounds and blocked shots, Fernandez said that all his achievements, in time, will be eventually surpassed by the 6-foot-10 behemoth.
“I hope he continues to improve and break all my records. I hope no injuries derail him. If he can play up to the age of 36 or 37, he will probably break all those records,” said Fernandez, who is currently serving as commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Fajardo, a proud product of the University of Cebu, holds averages of 19.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 blocks in 33.8 minutes of action per game this season for Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer.
Fernandez added that he is proud to hear of Fajardo’s achievements and isn’t at all afraid that his name would soon be replaced in the record books.
“That would only mean that how we played back then inspired people. And in the same way, Fajardo’s play right now will also serve to inspire people to play like him and reach the kind of success that he has,” added the man known as “El Presidente.”