By Jonas Terrado
San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo, as expected, claimed an unprecedented sixth consecutive Most Valuable Player award Sunday in the PBA Leo Awards at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
June Mar Fajardo won his sixth straight PBA MVP. (PBA Images)
Fajardo enhanced his status as one of the greatest ever after winning the coveted award with 3140 points on 1207 Statistical Points, 1290 media votes, 343 player votes and 300 votes from the PBA Commissioner’s Office.
The 6-foot-10 center received the award in style as he entered the court using a mobility scooter due to a fractured right shin suffered a month before the start of the league’s 45th season.
Teammates and peers welcomed Fajardo like it was a victory lap before receiving the plum alongside his parents Bonifacio and Marites.
The coronation also serves as a likely sendoff to a streak of MVPs only Fajardo has achieved in the 45-year history of the pro loop.
Fajardo is set to miss the whole duration of the Philippine Cup, possibly more, as he tries to get back from the devastating injury.
It was one of three trophies the gentle giant received in the ceremony that honored the top achievers of 2019.
He was also named to the Mythical First Team alongside TNT KaTropa’s Jayson Castro, NorthPort’s Christian Standhardinger and Sean Anthony and Columbian’s CJ Perez, who won Rookie of the Year honors.
Fajardo was also part of the All-Defensive Team that included teammate Chris Ross, Perez, Anthony and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Japeth Aguilar.
Aguilar, fellow Ginebra star Stanley Pringle, TNT KaTropa’s Troy Rosario and RR Pogoy and Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang was named to the Mythical Second Team.
San Miguel Beer’s Mo Tautuaa was hailed as the Most Improved Player while Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood captured a third straight Sportsmanship Award.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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