MANILA – In a dazzling display of talent and determination, June Mar Fajardo has reaffirmed his dominance in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) by clinching his eighth Most Valuable Player (MVP) award during the Leo Awards held at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday.
Fajardo, a towering center for San Miguel, led the league in statistical points (SPs) last season, showcasing his prowess on the court. His impressive performance not only secured him the highest statistical score of 2,799 points but also earned him top votes from both media and fellow players, outpacing teammate CJ Perez and Terrafirma’s Christian Standhardinger.
Perez finished with 1,951 points, while Standhardinger, despite a commendable showing that placed him second in both SPs and player votes, ended with 1,731 points, securing third place.
The MVP candidates were celebrated as part of the Mythical First Team, which also included NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino and Meralco’s Chris Newsome. Meanwhile, the Mythical Second Team was led by Rookie of the Year Stephen Holt, joined by Cliff Hodge, Calvin Oftana, Jason Perkins, and Juami Tiongson—who played pivotal roles in Terrafirma’s return to playoff contention.
Fajardo, along with Newsome and Hodge, earned spots on the All-Defensive Team, alongside Joshua Munzon from Batang Pier and Kemark Carino of the Dyip, highlighting their defensive skills throughout the season.
In addition to the MVP accolades, Rain Or Shine’s Jhonard Clarito was named Most Improved Player, while Paul Zamar took home the Sportsmanship Award, further celebrating the spirit of competition and camaraderie within the league.
As Fajardo adds another MVP trophy to his collection, the basketball community eagerly anticipates how he will continue to shape the future of the PBA in the seasons to come.
