MANILA – San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo further cemented his PBA legacy by capturing his eighth Most Valuable Player trophy during the Season 48 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 17.8 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game during the PBA Season 48.
Fajardo, the Best Player of the Conference winner in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup, edged teammate Jaymar Perez and Terrafirma Dyip’s Christian Standhardinger for the MVP award.
“Unang una nagpapasalamat ako kay God sa lahat ng blessings na ibinibigay Niya sa akin,” Fajardo said. “Kung ano ang meron ako, galing lahat kay God ‘yun. ‘Yung height ko, ‘yung talent ko, ‘yun ‘yung mga asset ko.”
“Nagpapasalamat din ako kay (SMC) boss RSA (Ramon S. Ang), (SMC sports director) Al (Chua) at sa San Miguel Beer management, sana next year uli,” added the 6-foot-10 Gilas Pilipinas center.
In addition to his MVP award, Fajardo also made the Mythical First Team along with Standhardinger, Perez, Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome, and NorthPort Batang Pier gunner Arvin Tolentino.
Fajardo was also named in the PBA All-Defensive Team along with Newsome and his Bolts’ teammate Clifford Hodge, Dyip’s Kemark Cariño, and Batang Pier’s Joshua Munzon.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Stephen Holt, meanwhile, was named PBA Season 48 Rookie of the Year with 34.1 SPs as he finished his rookie season with the Dyip with 17.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.9 steals averages.
“(Winning the Rookie of the Year) is a big blessing, it means my hard work has paid off,” Holt said. “At the end of the day, all of these awards will not be possible without my former teammates at Terrafirma.”
Meanwhile, Hodge, Holt, Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Jason Perkins, TNT Tropang Giga’s Calvin Oftana, and Dyip’s Juan Miguel Tiongson comprise the PBA’s Mythical Second Team.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Jhonard Clarito captured the Most Improved Player award, while Batang Pier’s Paul Zamar was awarded the Samboy Lim Sportmanship Award./PN
