As if June Mar Fajardo's nine Most Valuable Player awards are not plenty enough, PBA legend Ramon Fernandez thinks he could still grab more.
June Mar Fajardo sang the same refrain every time he extended his record for the highest number of Most Valuable Player awards in the PBA.
Unbelievable as it may be for some given his stellar resume, Fajardo would always say that he did not expect to win that much.
Receiving his ninth MVP trophy Sunday, Oct. 5, during the Leo Awards was no exception.
"Sinong mag-aakala na ang isang batang hindi man lang mahilig mag-basketball pero nandito ako, mananalo ng nine MVPs? Kahit ako mismo hindi ko ini-expect na aabot ako sa ganito," said Fajardo in his speech.
"Dati, sobrang hate ko ang height ko kasi ako 'yong pinakamatangkad, lagi akong binu-bully. Pero na-realize ko, yon pala ang ultimate gift na binigay sa'kin ni God. 'Yong height ko pala ang magbabago ng buhay ko, ng family ko at ng mga taong nasa paligid ko. Hindi talaga natin mapi-predict 'yong buhay," he went on.
[RELATED STORY: Nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo recalls almost giving up during lowest point of PBA career]
But there was at least one legend in the audience who was no longer surprised by the gentle giant winning multiple awards.
It was Ramon Fernandez.
[RELATED STORY: Mon Fernandez gives take on June Mar Fajardo's struggles with Gilas Pilipinas]
Fernandez believes in Fajardo's capability
Fernandez, who also hails from Cebu like Fajardo, said he knew the San Miguel star was bound to bag plenty of individual accolades in a career that began in 2012.
“[When] he won his first MVP, 'yon na ang sinabi ko, na he will definitely win truckloads of it. It’s coming to form. It’s coming true,” Fernandez told reporters.
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Fernandez also believes that a 10th MVP trophy isn’t far-fetched at this point in Fajardo’s career.
But that also means the 6-foot-10 pride of Pinamungajan has to take care of his body better, especially at 35 years old.
“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 [with] San Miguel, the following year, 35, 36. Kayang-kaya pa,” said the four-time MVP.
There’s also one more record Fernandez holds that he is certain Fajardo will eclipse: 19 championships.
“I hope he does. I hope he makes it para siyempre, coming from Cebu, a product of the Cebu league also. We’re all proud of him,” Fernandez said.
(With reports from Aivan Episcope/One Sports Digital)
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.