BOCAUE, Bulacan – San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo continued to make history after capturing his fifth consecutive Most Valuable Player award during the 2018 PBA Leo Awards last night at the Philippine Arena here.
The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay became the first player in the league’s history to clinch fifth PBA MVP trophy, breaking the records of PBA legends Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio who was named PBA MVP four times before.
The 28-year-old Fajardo was the runaway winner for the award in the 2017-2018 PBA season after taking the Best Player of the Conference citation in the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup.
“Sino naman ang mag aakala na ang dating pinagtatawanan, five-time MVP na,” said the 6-foot-10 Fajardo. “Gusto ko lang na mag-improve lang pa pero ‘yung mga awards, hindi talaga, hindi ko inisip.”
He added: “Sobrang swerte talaga na nasa San Miguel ako kasi malakas ‘yung San Miguel, lagi kami nasa playoffs so malaki ‘yung chance na manalo ako kasi nasa playoffs. Siguro kung nasa ibang team ako, hindi ako mananalo ng MVP.”
Apart from his fifth MVP trophy, the former University of Cebu center was also part of the 2017-2018 First Mythical Selection Team and the All-Defensive Team.
Fajardo bannered the First Mythical team along with teammate Marcio Lassiter, Magnolia Hotshots’ Paul Lee, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Japeth Aguilar and NorthPort Batang Pier’s Stanley Pringle.
Fajardo’s name was also included in the All-Defensive Team along with Hotshots’ Rome Dela Rosa and Rafael Reavis, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Gabe Norwood and Beermen’s Chris Ross.
Meanwhile, in the second Mythical team were Kings’ Earl Scottie Thompson, Beermen’s Arwind Santos, NLEX Road Warriors’ John Paul Erram, Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Matthew Wright and Hotshots’ Andy Mark Barroca.
Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Jason Perkins bested Alaska Aces’ Jeron Teng for the Rookie of the Year plum, while Thompson captured the Most Improved Player citation and Norwood took home the Sportsmanship Award./PN
