SAN Miguel Beer star June Mar Fajardo called his teammates to join him at mid-court before receiving another shining trophy and additional recognition in his illustrious career last Wednesday night.
The hulking 6-foot-10 big man raised the plum surrounded by his fellow Beermen, coaches, and management as The Script’s hit song “Hall of Fame” was played.
Many said the best part was that the good-sized crowd that showed up at the Smart Araneta Coliseum felt the sincerity of Fajardo sharing the PBA-NUSTAR resort Cebu Best Player of the Conference award–a record extending 10th time — with his teammates and team officials.
Forty-eight minutes later, Fajardo powered SMB to a crucial 111-101 victory over Meralco in Game 4 of their Philippine Cup finals clash that tie the series at 2-2.
When all the dust settled, Fajardo, after scoring 28 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, gave his teammates credit.
“Masaya ako na nakuha ko iyong BPC pero icre-credit ko iyon sa teammates ko kasi hindi ko makukuha iyon kung hindi dahil sa kanila,” Fajardo said.
“Kahit sino sa team namin puwede maging Best Player of the Conference kasi sobrang lalim ng team namin,” he added.
Beermen coach Jorge Gallent disagreed and insisted Fajardo’s latest award in his vast collection of accolades was well-deserved.
“June Mar really worked hard for it,” Gallent said. “It doesn’t come easy so I’m happy that he got it.”
The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay said forging a 2-2 standoff in the race-to-4 Big Dance was his motivation.
“Motivated kasi down kami sa series, iyong BPC bonus na lang iyon,” he said. “Kailangan ko talaga i-assert iyong sarili ko sa ilalim kasi kapag natalo kami 1-3 na.
“Mahihirapan na kami makabalik pa sa 1-3. Gusto naming manalo, gusto naming maitabla iyong series.”
