MANILA – San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo’s dominant showing in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup has paid off after being awarded with the Best Player of the Conference plum.
The Pinamungajan, Cebu native received his 11th BPC citation prior to the start of Game 4 of the PBA Finals series between the TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo bested Beermen teammate Jaymar Perez, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Japeth Aguilar and Earl Scottie Thompson, and NorthPort Batang Pier’s Arvin Tolentino for the award.
The eight-time PBA MVP accumulated 44.8 statistical points with his averages of 21.0 points, 16.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 blocks through the semifinals round.
Fajardo tallied a total of 989 points after topping the statistical points (465) and media votes (476), while coming second in the players’ votes (252).
“Sa isip ko wala pa akong napanalunan. Kaya lagi kong pinu-push yung sarili ko na mag-pursige. Never umakyat sa isip ko yung mga award ko. Kini-keep ko yan, chini-cherish ko yan. Pero never umakyat sa isip ko yang mga na-achieve ko,” said Fajardo.
Meanwhile, Tropang Giga reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was adjudged the Best Import of the Conference for the second consecutive Governors’ Cup.
Hollis-Jefferson defeated Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Aaron Fuller, and Beermen’s EJ Anosike to win the citation.
The former NBA player compiled a total of 57.4 SPs with his averages of 28.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 2.9 steals until the semifinals round to win the award.
Fajardo and Hollis-Jefferson received their respective plaques and checks of P50,000 each from Commissioner Willie Marcial./PN
