Cebuano pride makes history
Fajardo wins record-breaking 5th straight MVP plum
There's no stopping Cebuano hardcourt superstar June Mar Fajardo from reaping major awards one season after another.
Despite missing a huge chunk of the Governors' Cup last season due to a shin injury, the 6-foot-10 behemoth from Pinamungajan town south of Cebu still went on to etch history and hoisted his record fifth straight MVP award during the PBA Leo Awards on Sunday at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
With the influx of fresh talent and eyebrow-raising offseason moves, hoop fans are excited for another year of PBA action.
Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio had four MVP plums in their respective legendary careers.
Fajardo, whose raw basketball skill was sharpened while playing for the University of Cebu )(UC) Webnmasters in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI), bested Stanley Pringle, Japeth Aguilar, and Paul Lee in the MVP race. Pringle wound up as the statistics leader but failed to lead NorthPort to a playoff appearance in each of the three conferences.
"First of all, I want to thank God for all the blessings. Who would have thought that someone who was once a laughingstock will become a five-time MVP?" Fajardo said in Filipino.
"I'm lucky to be with San Miguel. My teammates were great. I'm thankful for my teammates, coaches, and the SMB management."