THE text message of Danny Ildefonso to June Mar Fajardo, moments after the latter won a fourth successive MVP award, was short and direct to the point.
Go get that fifth one next season.
Ildefonso was one proud 'kuya' after seeing Fajardo hoist his fourth MVP trophy to tie Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio for the league's all-time record.
“Siyempre masaya ako para sa kanya,” Ildefonso, a two-time MVP who took Fajardo under his wings during his early years at San Miguel, said in a brief chat with SPIN.ph on Sunday.
“Tinext ko nga eh, sabi ko dapat maging lima para solo na, para record na, kasi marami siyang kasama sa apat," the former SMB star added. “Sabi niya, 'Gagawin ko lahat kuya.'”
The 40-year-old Ildefonso, who is now an assistant coach of National University in the UAAP, now hopes to see Fajardo become a dominant force for Gilas Pilipinas in the international arena.
“Marami pang dapat niyang magawa lalo na sa international. Kailangan maging agile siya tapos magkaroon ng tira sa labas,” Ildefonso said.
But Ildefonso would be the least surprised if Fajardo wins that fifth MVP award, saying he sees no one challenging the San Miguel Beermen for the honor next season.
“Actually parang ganun pa rin (laro niya)… Dito wala na siyang kailangang (patunayan) dahil malaki na siya,” said Ildefonso.
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