There’s no better storyline than seeing a student winning an award named after his teacher.
June Mar Fajardo emerged as the first-ever winner of the Ramon Fernandez Finals Most Valuable Player trophy after leading San Miguel Beer to the title of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup late Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo essayed a dominant performance, dropping 29 points and 23 rebounds to lead San Miguel to a 92-77 win over TNT Tropang 5G in Game 6 of their best-of-seven finals series and emerge as the unanimous choice for the coveted award named after the 72-year-old Fernandez.
The PBA Press Corps also took a closer look at the performances of CJ Perez and Rodney Brondial, but Fajardo was truly the most obvious choice.
All in all, the gentle giant from Cebu posted glowing averages of 19.6 points, 18.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks in the six-game series to take home his record fifth Finals MVP trophy.
The 36-year-old Fajardo said winning the trophy named and molded after his childhood mentor — Fernandez — is truly an honor. In fact, Fernandez even flew to Manila with his wife, Karla, just to personally hand the trophy to the first-ever recipient of the trophy named after him.
“It’s truly an honor,” said Fajardo, who cut his teeth in the courts of Pinamungahan town in Cebu with Fernandez serving as his mentor. Then, he enrolled at the University of Cebu before being drafted as the top overall pick of the San Miguel franchise in 2011.
“It’s so heartwarming to think that I will be the first to win this trophy, which is named after Don Ramon Fernandez. He even personally presented me with this trophy, so it’s truly an honor.”
Cebu has always been the hotbed of Philippine basketball.
In the PBA alone, players like Roger Pogoy and Calvin Oftana of TNT, and Kris Porter and Leonard Santillan of Rain or Shine all trace their roots from the Queen City of the South. Before them, the likes of Dondon Ampalayo, Al Solis, Elmer Cabahug and Biboy Ravanes made successful trips from Cebu to the PBA.
Fajardo said he wants to serve as an inspiration to countless aspiring players from Cebu.
“This is for the Cebuanos who dream of making it to the PBA. I hope they can get inspiration from me and Don Ramon,” said Fajardo, who stressed that he will take a quick vacation in Cebu before resuming his duty with Gilas Pilipinas for the second window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
“I also come from the province. There are many players who come from the province. It’s free to dream. Dream, then work hard. Nothing is impossible as long as you persevere and work hard. We must be serious about our work. Nothing is impossible.”
But where will he put the most special trophy in his collection?
“For sure, this is one of the highlights of this championship,” said Fajardo, stressing the significance of the award that he will cherish for the rest of his life.
“I will place this on top of my trophy case.”