June Mar Fajardo extends record with 8th PBA MVP

June Mar Fajardo wins his 8th PBA MVP award.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–June Mar Fajardo, to nobody’s surprise, captured his eighth PBA Most Valuable Player trophy on Sunday, adding yet another feather to his already decorated cap.

The San Miguel cornerstone edged his teammate CJ Perez and a former one in Terrafirma’s Christian Standhardinger following yet another dominant showing in the 2023-24 PBA season where he helped the club to a back-to-back Finals appearances and a Commissioner’s Cup title.

“My height, my talent were my assets. And those came from God,” said Fajardo, who capped the Leo Awards at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City which also heralded the league’s 49th season and Governors’ Cup.

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“This is the result of everything that I have been doing, the perseverance that I’ve put in,” the soft-spoken big man added in Filipino, his milestone again resetting the league record for most MVPs won by any player.

Stephen Holt of the Dyip was also an unexpected winner of the Rookie of the Year award, while Jhonard Clarito bagged the Most Improved Player trophy.

Fajardo, Standhardinger, and Perez were also named into the Mythical First Team, joining NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino and Meralco’s Chris Newsome.

The San Miguel star also bannered the All-Defensive Team composed of Meralco’s Newsome, Cliff Hodge, Terrafirma’s Kemark Cariño, and NorthPort’s Joshua Munzon.

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Rounding out Sunday’s winners is Paul Zamar, who, despite his ACL tear, was present to receive the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award.

Fajardo’s latest MVP has further widened the gap from the great Ramon Fernandez, who has four MVP trophies to show for.

With his latest feat, Fajardo also all but secures his place in the PBA’s 50th Anniversary Team which is expected to be named before the league celebrates its golden anniversary April next year.