June Mar Fajardo. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
June Mar Fajardo, the longest-reigning Most Valuable Player in PBA history, showed up for another coronation on Sunday night in style—taking a mobility scooter given to him by no less than team owner Ramon S. Ang.
But while the road to recovery from a shin fracture is expected to be long and arduous, the San Miguel Beer center believes he’ll be back stronger than ever.
“I don’t have a timetable right now, but I promised myself I will not rush my recovery,” the 30-year-old Fajardo told the Inquirer in Filipino, just minutes after collecting a record sixth straight MVP at Smart Araneta Coliseum during the Leo Awards that preceded the opening of Season 45.
“I’m taking it day-to-day. When I return, I want to be at 100 percent. I won’t take any shortcuts in my recovery.”
The injury will most likely end Fajardo’s reign in the league and put San Miguel almost on equal footing with the 11 other teams in the league. But for the Cebuano big man, individual awards aren’t the priority anymore.
“Honestly, I just miss playing. That’s my only regret. Not being able to play,” Fajardo said. “The MVP is always special. Every year is different. This is special because its the sixth and it’s historic.”
Christian Standhardinger of NorthPort, Jayson Castro of TNT Ka Tropa, and Rookie of the Year awardee CJ Perez of Columbian Dyip were the other candidates for the MVP award. Even though he led San Miguel to two titles last year, Fajardo insists the gap between him and the other players isn’t that far.
“Just because I got MVP this year doesn’t mean I’m so much better than the other players,” he said. “The gap is much closer now. I’ll be happy if other players win the award next year.”
Fajardo was accompanied by parents June and Maritess as he collected his MVP trophy.
“They have always been my motivation to succeed,” said Fajardo, referring to his parents. “I grew up poor and I just want to give them a good life, not make them worry where the next meal will come from.”
Perez collected two other trophies, winning Rookie of the Year and making the All-Defensive team.
Fajardo also bannered the Mythical first team, which is composed of Castro, Standhardinger, Perez and Sean Anthony of NorthPort.
It marked the first time that Anthony, a 10-year veteran, made the first team. He was also named to the All-Defensive team with Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar of Ginebra and Chris Ross of San Miguel.
Aguilar, who was named Finals MVP of the season-ending Governors’ Cup, earned a second Mythical team selection with teammate Stanley Pringle, TNT Ka Tropa stars RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario, and Ian Sangalang of Magnolia.
Mo Tautuaa bagged Most Improved Player award after a breakout season spent with NorthPort and San Miguel, which acquired him in a trade with Standhardinger late last year. Rain or Shine forward Gabe Norwood also won his third straight Samboy Lim Sportsmanship award. INQ