NOTHING else seems left for reigning eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo to prove.
But for the hulking 6-foot-10 gentle giant fondly called “The Kraken,” he wants to cement his legacy as one of the pro league’s greatest cagers—if not the greatest—before he calls it a career.
“Hindi ako nagsasawa kasi darating din iyong araw, lilipas din ako, matatapos din iyong career ko sa PBA,” Fajardo said. “Kaya hangga’t nandito ako, kung hangga’t saan ang kaya kong ibigay, ibibigay ko.
“Para pagdating ng panahon, wala na akong iisipin, wala na akong regrets,” he added.
Fajardo, 34, he bagged the Best Player of the Conference award, his 11th overall, in the season-opening Governors’ Cup last Sunday night.
Bolstered by 989 total points built on 465 markers on statistics, 476 media votes, and 48 players’ votes, Fajardo was the clear-cut winner in the BPC derby, with Ginebra big man Japeth Aguilar a far second with 664 points on the strength of 335 stats, 262 votes from the press, and 77 nods from fellow players.
Former MVP Scottie Thompson of the Kings finished third with 465 points via a 335-86-44 line.
The Beermen’s star center showed the way in the best player race with 44.8 statistical points on impressive numbers of 21.0 points, a league-best 16.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 21 games from the eliminations up to the semifinals.
Despite his latest individual accolade, Fajardo said a title win would have been more valuable than the individual laurel. The Beermen lost to the Ginebra Kings 2-4 in their semis battle.
“Mas masaya kasi kapag nag-champion. Lahat nakakatanggap ng incentives. Kasi kapag BPC, ako lang,” Fajardo said. “Kapag champion kami, lahat ng mga teammates ko, ball boys, lahat nagkaka-incentive.
“Iyon naman talaga ang goal, makaabot sa finals at makakuha ng championship. So, parang ito, consolation na lang.”
Fajardo nonetheless is grateful for winning another accolade to his vast collection of recognitions.
“Hindi (ko ini-expect). Pero masaya ako na nakuha ko ang award na ito,” Fajardo said. “Thankful ako sa lahat, lalo na sa mga teammates ko, sa mga coaches ko, sa mga kapwa ko players. Salamat sa kanila, nakuha ko iyong award.”
The mid-season Commissioner’s Cup where the Beermen will try to retain the crown is set to start on Nov. 27 so fans can expect a big bounce-back campaign from SMB and its franchise player.
Listen to Fajardo.
“So ako, gagawin ko iyong best ko para makatulong sa team. Itong mga awards naman, parang reward na lang iyon sa hard work. Pero hindi naman talaga iyon ang goal ko,” he said.
“Hindi naman talaga ako nagcha-chase ng individual awards. Iyong china-chase namin, same lang sa mga teammates ko—championship.”