MANILA – San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo further cemented his PBA legacy by capturing his ninth Most Valuable Player trophy during the Season 49 Leo Awards on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Cebuano center won the individual citation after finishing with 42.1 statistical points behind averages of 19.2 points, 16.1 rebounds, and 60.2 percent field goal shooting during the PBA Season 48.
Fajardo’s MVP bid was bolstered with his Best Player of the Conference citations during the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup and Philippine Cup, where the Beermen emerged as champions.
Fajardo, who holds the PBA record for most MVP awards won, bested NLEX Road Warriors guard Robert Bolick Jr. and former NorthPort Batang Pier gunner Arvin Tolentino for the citation.
In addition to his MVP award, the 6-foot-10 Fajardo also made the Mythical First Team along with Bolick, Tolentino, Beermen’s Jaymar Perez, and TNT Tropang Giga’s Calvin Oftana.
Fajardo was also named in the PBA All-Defensive Team along with TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin, Ginebra’s Stephen Holt, Titan Ultra’s Joshua Munzon, and Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Rhon Jay Abarrientos, meanwhile, was named PBA Season 49 Rookie of the Year after recording an 12.7 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 rebound per game.
Among those Abarrientos edged out are Sedrick Barefield (Blackwater), Caelan Tiongson (Rain or Shine), Kai Ballungay (Phoenix), at CJ Cansino (Meralco).
Meanwhile, comprise the PBA’s Mythical Second Team are Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar, TNT’s Roger Pogoy, Converge’s Justin Arana, and Lucero Munzon captured the Most Improved Player award, while Rain or Shine’s Gian Mamuyac was awarded the Samboy Lim Sportmanship Award./PN
