BULACAN — June Mar Fajardo made Philippine Basketball Association history yesterday as he became the first five-time league most valuable player after being handed the top individual award for Season 43 during the Leo Awards at the Philippine Arena.
Banking on season averages of 20.6 ppg, 12.4 rpg, and 1.2 bpg in 47 outings last year that also saw him helping the San Miguel Beermen to two finals appearances and one title, the Cebuano big man notched his fifth straight MVP award.
In winning the award, Mr. Fajardo, 29, beat out Stanley Pringle of Northport Batang Pier in a two-way fight for the prestigious individual plum.
Mr. Fajardo’s latest MVP accolade moved him past PBA legends Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio, whom he previously shared the most number of league MVP awards with four.
“I would like to thank God for this award. In life you just don’t know what will happen. I just continued to work hard and improve myself,” said Mr. Fajardo, who was joined by his parents in receiving the MVP award.
“I never thought I would break the record for most MVP awards. This is so special for me. I’m happy I got to share this with my parents,” he added.
Meanwhile, other winners at the annual Leo Awards were Gabe Norwood of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (Sportsmanship Award); Scottie Thompson of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (Most Improved Player); Mr. Norwood, Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok’s Rafi Reavis and Rome Dela Rosa, San Miguel’s Fajardo and Chris Ross (All-PBA Defensive Team); and Jason Perkins of the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters (Rookie of the Year).
Mythical Second Team Selections were Mr. Thompson of Barangay Ginebra, Mark Barroca of Magnolia, Arwind Santos of San Miguel, JP Erram (previously of Blackwater Elite and now of the NLEX Road Warriors), and Matthew Wright of Phoenix; and First Mythical Selections were Mr. Pringley, Paul Lee of Magnolia, Mr. Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra and Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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