EVEN after claiming his eighth PBA MVP, June Mar Fajardo is still shying away from ‘GOAT’ conversations, maintaining there is still a lot of work to be done in order to be considered as The One.
Fajardo reasserted his status as the best player of the current generation in the PBA with another MVP trophy. But as far the ‘greatest of all time’ tag is concerned, Fajardo would rather hand the distinction to other players.
The 6-10 Cebuano center mentioned Ramon Fernandez, saying his 19 PBA championships should be the primary consideration in the GOAT debate.
READ Fajardo after winning 8th MVP award: 'Sana next year uli'
“Masaya ako na mapabilang doon pero sa tingin ko malayo pa ako doon,” said Fajardo when asked about the GOAT conversations. “Maraming deserving na tawaging GOAT ng PBA.”
“Si Papa Mon lang, dami nyang championships. 19 championships. Ako, 10 pa lang yata. Sobrang layo ko pa sa kanya. ‘Yun ‘yung para sa akin, (dapat) maraming championships. Doon matatawag na GOAT para sa akin.”
“Si Papa Mon, sobrang daming deserving na tawaging GOAT. Masaya na ako na mapabilang doon,” said Fajardo.
Shortly after receiving the MVP plum for the 48th Season, Fajardo uttered his desire to win another individual award.
“Sana next year uli,” said Fajardo, drawing laughs from the crowd at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
When asked about it, Fajardo said he wasn’t entirely joking about his statement, saying that he wants to continue improving every season.
“Kung may darating na awards, tatanggapin ko. Hindi naman tayo habang buhay naglalaro. Hangga’t kaya nating maglaro, collect natin ito. Pag natapos na career ko, may babalikan ako, may titignan ako,” said Fajardo
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