JUNE Mar Fajardo’s college coach believes the San Miguel star will win two more MVP awards before he turns 35.
Rhoel Gomez, Fajardo’s coach during his days at the University of Cebu, said the PBA's only five-time MVP is bound to win more trophies in his peak years.
“Before mag-reach ng 35, makakakuha pa ng dalawa ‘yan,” said Gomez during a rare trip to Manila for the ‘Return of the Rivals’ legends game.
At 29, the Cebuano giant has already leapfrogged four-time winners Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio. His MVP awards were won consecutively, also a record.
The 6-10 Fajardo played under Gomez when the Webmasters won the Cesafi crown before being made No. 1 pick overall by San Miguel in the 2012 PBA rookie draft.
Gomez, who won 11 championships in a long PBA career with Alaska, said he already foresaw Fajardo breaking PBA records the moment he applied for the draft.
“Before siya nagpa-draft, may tumawag sa akin, hindi ko na matandaan kung anong newspaper. Tinanong about ‘yung future niya, kaya ba niya. Sinabi ko ‘yun. Si June Mar ang makaka-break sa lahat ng records,” said Gomez.
Gomez said he is just as proud of his former players Brian Heruela and Roger Pogoy who are now in the PBA. But he reserved his biggest praise for Fajardo.
At Fajardo's peak, the only thing that can stand between him and more MVP trophies are health problems, the former Alaska sharpshooter said.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, if you stay healthy, nasa team siya na maganda, you’ll see the result. Sabi ko sa kanya, stay healthy lang,” said Gomez.
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