June Mar Fajardo extended his record to 12 Best Player of the Conference awards in what has been a stellar PBA career that began in 2012.
Unsurprisingly, June Mar Fajardo came home with the Best Player of the Conference award Sunday night, July 20.
Playing hurt through the semifinals of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, San Miguel star collected 1,085 points to best teammates CJay Perez (704), NLEX leader Robert Bolick (562), Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero (459), and Jason Perkins of Phoenix (441).
According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, the margin between Fajardo and Perez is also the largest since the former claimed the same award in the All-Filipino conference last season.
Overall, the gentle giant from Pinamungahan, Cebu has a dozen BPC awards on his already overflowing trophy room.
“Thankful ako. Siyempre blessing pa rin 'yan,” said Fajardo, who was joined by his teammates on center court at the SM Mall of Asia Arena when he received the award.
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As someone who is used to reaping awards, Fajardo has also responded in the same refrain when asked about this latest feat.
That doesn’t make it any less true, however.
“Sabi ko nga sa inyo kini-keep ko lang 'yan dito sa puso ko. 'Yung puso ko parang kaban lang 'yan, lahat ng memories andu'n lahat. Pero never umakyat sa isip ko mga awards ko,” said the top overall pick in the 2012 Draft.
But Fajardo was also quick to defer to what’s more important, which is reclaiming lost glory for the Beermen.
At the end of Sunday’s match, San Miguel closed in on that behind Jericho Cruz's 23 points, including 15 in the fourth period where they sped away.
“Wala pa kaming naipapanalo. Malayo pa yan. Kailangan pa namin manalo ng isang game,” he said.
The Beermen can win it all in Game 5 on Wednesday, July 23 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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