By REYNALD MAGALLON
PBA great Ramon Fernandez sounded absurd when he once said in the past that June Mar Fajardo would not only be able to beat his erstwhile record of four Most Valuable Player awards but would actually win truckloads of it.
The former Philippine Sports commissioner turned out to be prophetic.
Fajardo has now won a record-extending ninth MVP award and there are no signs of slowing down for the 6-foot-10 San Miguel center. And for Fernandez, only injuries would prevent the Cebuano gentle giant from winning more.
“When he won his first MVP, yun na ang sinabi ko na he will definitely win a truckload of it. It’s coming true,“ said Fernandez who also witnessed Fajardo claim his ninth MVP award during the Leo Awards at the Novotel Manila just before the start of the 50th Season.
“Pinagbilin ko lang naman sa kaniya 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,“ he added.
True enough though, save for a broken tibia back in 2020, Fajardo had not suffered any other major injury to his already illustrious career.
And even when many doubted if he would be able to comeback from that broken shin that ended his six-year reign as MVP, he proved doubters wrong and now has won three straight.
“As I said, as long as hindi siya ma-injure. How old is he now? Kayang kaya pa. I won my last MVP mga about that age, I was 35, Purefoods. Yeah, San Miguel the following year, 35, 36. Kayang kaya pa,“ said Fernandez.
As for the debate on whether Fajardo is now the undisputed GOAT of the PBA, Fernandez said it is better to leave the discussions to the fans, although he admitted that the San Miguel center would have dominated the league if he plays during their time.
“The result would have been the same because of his size. He could have still won all those awards. Wala siyang makakatapat e,” he admitted.
