San Miguel center June Mar Fajardo celebrates after leading the Beermen to another Philippine Cup championship and winning his fourth Finals MVP award. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Pretty much San Miguel Beer’s barometer for success in this PBA Philippine Cup, June Mar Fajardo was awarded Finals Most Valuable Player after willing the vaunted franchise to its 28th title on Sunday night.
In the din of the revelries of a thrilling 119-97 victory at Smart Araneta Coliseum, Fajardo, who earlier in the series was named Best Player of the Conference, hoisted his fourth Finals MVP.
Fajardo was a consistent force for the Beermen in the champion series with TNT, putting up an average of 19 points on 70 percent shooting from the field, 16.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 blocks. He posted 19 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in Game 7.
WATCH: San Miguel’s resurgent cornerstone June Mar Fajardo cutting the net. #PBAFinals | @sonrdINQ pic.twitter.com/KAl1Wkk7W2
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) September 4, 2022
His finest outing came in Game 3, where he scored 27 points while plucking down as many rebounds.
Fajardo’s other Finals MVPs came in the 2015 Governors’ Cup, and in the 2017 and 2019 editions of the Philippine Cup.
The award should feel extra special for the resurgent Fajardo who was shelved during the 2020 season due to a broken shinbone.