SMB’s June Mar Fajardo. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA – Basketball legend Ramon Fernandez believes June Mar Fajardo can still win more Most Valuable Player awards, as long as he stays healthy.
The 11-time champion proved his dominance once more on Sunday, securing a record-breaking ninth MVP award ahead of the league's 50th season.
What made the milestone even more special was Fajardo receiving the award in front of several PBA legends like Fernandez.
"I was not surprised. In fact, if you remember from the very beginning when he first won his first MVP, that's what I said that he would definitely win a truckload of them. And it's coming forth. It's coming true," Fernandez told reporters after the PBA Annual Leo Awards.
"El Presidente" said he continues to remind Fajardo to stay healthy to avoid injuries.
"Ang pinagbilin ko lang sa kanya [Fajardo] was to make sure that he's in the best of shape, avoid injuries. That was the only factor that I saw that would hinder him from getting all these awards, injuries," Fernandez explained.
It was an injury that put Fajardo's MVP-winning streak to a halt, after winning it straight from 2014 to 2019. In 2020, the Kraken suffered a career-threatening injury when he fractured his tibia.
When he regained his health, Fajardo went on to win MVP again in 2023 and 2024.
Fernandez believes the 35-year-old Fajardo still has a lot of gas left in the tank to win more MVP awards.
"Kayang-kaya pa. I won my last MVP at that age. I was 35. Purefoods, San Miguel the following year. 36, 35, 36. My fourth MVP. So, kayang-kaya pa," he said.
Fernandez also hopes Fajardo can surpass his 19-championship record.
FAJARDO STILL HUMBLE
Despite all his achievements, Fajardo remains the humble and soft-spoken big man who first entered the league in 2012.
Knowing Fajardo for years before he joined the league, Fernandez can attest to the 6-foot-10 Cebuano's unchanging demeanor and mindset.
"Well, kilala ko na 'yan. First year, second year college palang sa Cebu 'yan. Ganyan na talaga 'yan. Walang ka ere-ere, walang kayabang-yabang. So I'm not surprised na umabot siya ng ganito. And he works very hard," he shared.
Fernandez admitted it's hard to defend Fajardo, who is consistently improving through the years.
PRIDE OF CEBU
Fernandez lauded Fajardo as being one of the pride of Cebu and a product of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) league.
Fajardo hails from Compostela, Cebu, and goes home whenever they have a break.
"I hope he makes it. Being coming from Cebu, the Cebu product of the Cebu League also, we're all proud of him," he said.
"Well, I guess because madalas kami maglaro doon. When I was in college, during summer, minsan sa isang araw tatlong beses kami naglalaro. Isa sa umaga, isa sa hapon, isa sa gabi. Kapag may fiesta lalaro parin kami. So yung street games, competition. That's what it's really all about," Fernandez said on what makes players from Cebu special.
As someone who played in the league for two decades, Fernandez shared his advice for Fajardo ahead of the PBA's golden season.
"Ang secret talaga is really keeping his weight down. Never mind sa practice. Talagang masipag siya sa practice eh. Get himself in the best of shape all the time. Stay away from injuries talaga and control his weight," he shared.
"Because as you get older, the more running and jumping that he does, that will take a toll on his knees. And that's what most centers that gain weight have a problem with," Fernandez added.
Among the basketball community, Fernandez has often been regarded by some as "one of the greatest of all time."
When asked who is better between him and Fajardo, he leaves the discussion up to the Pinoy hoop fans.
For now, Fernandez is rooting for Fajardo as he begins another season with the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA.