San Miguel superstar June Mar Fajardo hoisted the Ramon Fernandez Finals MVP Trophy he received from the PBA legend himself.
From one PBA great to another.
Ramon Fernandez and June Mar Fajardo shared a special moment at centercourt inside the Mall of Asia Arena Sunday night, Feb. 1.
The former San Miguel star presented the Finals Most Valuable Player trophy now named after him to the current Beermen centerpiece, who netted the award due to his spectacular performance in the Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.
[RELATED STORY: PBA Finals MVP trophy named after Ramon Fernandez: 'I never imagined, yet will forever treasure']
Fajardo put up a conference-high 29 points and 23 rebounds in SMB's championship-clinching 92-77 win against TNT in Game 6 to earn the individual accolade.
Fajardo felt deeply honored to be the first recipient of the Ramon Fernandez trophy.
“Isang karangalan. Siyempre, nakakatuwang isipin na ako 'yong kauna-unahang makakuha ng MVP trophy na nakapangalan kay Don Ramon Fernandez,” said Fajardo.
“For sure, isa ‘yan sa mga highlights ng championship na ‘to. For sure, nasa top ng trophy case ko ‘to.”
[RELATED STORY: Luck, experience key SMB's 2nd straight PBA PH Cup crown, says Austria]
But more than the glory of his fifth Finals MVP plum, Fajardo is hopeful that what he and Fernandez accomplished under the bright lights of the first play-for-pay league in Asia will continue to inspire aspiring ballers, especially those from their home province of Cebu.
“Para 'to sa mga Cebuano na nangangarap makarating sa PBA. Sana makakuha sila ng inspirasyon sa’min ni Don Ramon,” Fajardo said.
“Kasi galing din akong probinsya. Maraming players na galing probinsya. Libreng mangarap. Pangarap, tapos hard work. Walang imposible basta't magtiyaga lang tapos magtrabaho nang maayos. Dapat seryoso tayo sa trabaho natin. Walang imposible.”
Now, Fajardo is looking forward to spending a quick vacation in Cebu before hitting the ground running anew with Gilas Pilipinas for the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers
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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.