BOCAUE - June Mar Fajardo rewrote PBA history on Sunday after becoming the first ever player to win the coveted MVP award five straight seasons.
The 6-foot-10 Cebuano native accumulated a total of 2,436 points in winning the plum and broke the existing league record of four MVPs held by Fajardo himself along with legends Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio.
Fajardo's formal crowning was held during the annual Leo Awards at the Philippine Arena here, which serves as a prelude to the opening of the league's 44th season.
The San Miguel Beer big man accepted his MVP trophy in the presence of his parents Bonifacio and Marites Fajardo, who he credited for making him the player that he is today.
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"Sila ang dahilan kaya lumaki ako ng ganito," said Fajardo in jest, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
"Sila ang pinaka-inspirasyon ko. Sa pinag daaanan nila, ang pinaka-best na magagawa ko is mapasaya sila at ibigay ang kung anong puwede kong mabigay sa kanila. Nagsisikap ako para sa kanila," added Fajardo seriously.
The rest of the MVP candidates did seriously try to attempt toppling Fajardo on top, but to no avail.
Stanley Pringle of NorthPort was the closest to challenge Fajardo as he finished runner-up with a total of 2,041 points.
Fajardo, who averaged 20.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks and won two Best Player of the Conference honors last season, won in the media (777) and PBA votes (300), while finishing second to Pringle in the players votes (327).
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Pringle meanwhile, had 395 players' votes, 389 from media, and 150 from the PBA.
The two led members of the Mythical Team along with Magnolia
Pambansang Manok's Paul Lee, San Miguel's Marcio Lassiter, and Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra.
Another San Miguel stalwart Arwind Santos led the 2nd Mythical Team together with Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra, NLEX big man Poy Erram, Magnolia's Mark Barroca, and Matthe Wright of Phoenix.
Fajardo also made it to the All-Defensive Team, joining Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, the Magnolia duo of Rafi Reavis and Rome Dela Rosa, and San Miguel's Chris Ross.
Jason Perkins meanwhile, ran away with the Rookie of the Year award.
Thompson made it a double celebration by bagging the Most Improved Player award and so did Norwood, who won back-to-back Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award. (RG)
