IT’S lucky nine for June Mar Fajardo, as he once again bagged the Most Valuable Player for the 49th Season of the PBA.
Fajardo received the award during the Leo Awards held at Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City to kickstart the festivities for the golden season of the league.
This time around, Fajardo received the award in the presence of a couple of legends, including four-time MVP Ramon Fernandez, considered as one of the greatest of all time until he was surpassed by the now nine-time MVP.
Fajardo was also joined in the Mythical First Team by San Miguel teammate Cjay Perez, Calvin Oftana of TNT, Robert Bolick of NLEX, and Arvin Tolentino, formerly of NorthPort and currently in Korea with the Seoul SK Knights.
The 35-year-old Fajardo, who beat Bolick and Tolentino for the plum, said he still can’t believe that he was able to claim nine MVPs in his career.
“Sinong mag-aakala na isang bata na hindi man lang mahilig mag-basketball pero nandito at mananalo ng nine MVPs. Kahit ako mismo, hindi ko naisip,” said Fajardo during his acceptance speech.
Fajardo garnered 3,041 points after topping the statistics (1,668), media votes (855), and player votes (518) to win over Bolick (1,444 statistics, 143 media votes, 328 player votes for a total of 1,914) and Tolentino (1,389 statistics, 428 media votes, 85 player votes for a total of 1,901).
Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra, RR Pogoy of TNT, Justin Arana of Converge, and Zaiver Lucero of Magnolia formed the Mythical Second Team.
RJ Abarrientos of Ginebra wound up with the Rookie of the Year award, as Fajardo, Lucero, Glenn Khobuntin of TNT, Stephen Holt of Ginebra, and Joshua Munzon of Titan Ultra comprised the All-Defensive Team.
Munzon also came away with the Most Improved Player trophy, as Gian Mamuyac of Rain or Shine took the Sportsmanship Award.
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