June Mar Fajardo is only focused on giving back to the San Miguel Beermen after the franchise drafted him first overall in 2012.
The names June Mar Fajardo and Ramon Fernandez are now synonymous to PBA greatness.
When talking about the PBA’s Greatest of All Time, one must mention both Fajardo and Fernandez in the same breath, even if your preference for the true no. 1 is one or the other.
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And in a symbolic passing of the torch, Fernandez personally presented the Finals Most Valuable Player trophy named in his honor to Fajardo after the Beermen conquered the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
For most, the only thing that separates the two San Miguel greats is the number of championships won.
To this day, Fernandez has the record of most number of PBA titles with 19.
Apart from that, “El Presidente” continues to lead the league in scoring (18,996), total rebounds (8,652), and blocks (1,853).
But Fajardo, who notched his 12th PBA crown at TNT’s expense, isn’t exactly chasing Fernandez’s records.
“Basta ako kung mananalo ng championship, isang karangalan pero di ko pangarap na habulin ano [record] niya,” said Fajardo, who holds the PBA record for most MVP wins with nine.
What Fajardo now wants is to keep adding to the glory of the franchise that’s entrusted to him.
“Habol ko championship. Gusto ko manalo ng championship hanggang nandito ako,” he said.
“More championships para sakin sa teammates ko. Before pa ako dumating dito sa San Miguel, [nandyan na] yung winning ways ng San Miguel.”
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“Kinuha kami ng San Miguel para i-represent San Miguel. Para tulungan San Miguel makakuha ng championships, so yun ginawa namin kaya nandito kami,” Fajardo added.
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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.