June Mar Fajardo’s ninth MVP crowns him as PBA’s timeless standard

The confetti may have not yet fallen for PBA Season 50, but the league’s golden anniversary festivities have already been set in motion with a milestone no one else in Philippine basketball history can touch: June Mar Fajardo now owns nine Most Valuable Player awards.

The San Miguel cornerstone was formally honored during the Leo Awards at Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City on Sunday, a night that felt more like a coronation than a ceremony. At 35, Fajardo isn’t just rewriting records — he’s establishing a new threshold of dominance that future generations may never reach.

Legends of the game such as Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio once defined the MVP conversation, each retiring with four trophies to their names. Today, their legacy has been doubled by the Cebuano giant who continues to tower, literally and figuratively, over the league.

“Who would ever think that a kid who doesn’t even like to play basketball, but is now here and has won nine MVPs. I personally didn’t even think about it,” Fajardo said in Filipino, his humility intact even as history bowed before him. 

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9th

Congratulations to our Season 49 MVP, June Mar Fajardo! #PBA50#PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/u9D0pIbRwD

— PBA (@pbaconnect) October 5, 2025

While Fajardo stood tallest, the Leo Awards also spotlighted the evolving landscape of PBA talent. The Mythical First Team was a mix of familiar stars and new household names: Fajardo alongside SMB wing CJ Perez, NLEX scoring leader Robert Bolick, TNT’s versatile Calvin Oftana, and Arvin Tolentino, whose career path has now taken him to Korea with Seoul SK Knights.

The Second Team reflected the enduring presence of Barangay Ginebra icons Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson, joined by Magnolia’s Zaiver Lucero, TNT’s Roger Pogoy, and Converge’s breakout big man Justin Arana.

 Rookie of the Year went to Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos, a sign that the next wave of guards may soon challenge the throne. Joshua Munzon of Titan Ultra continued his resurgence with a Most Improved Player nod, while Gian Mamuyac of Rain or Shine was recognized for sportsmanship.

The defensive core of the season featured Fajardo again, alongside Lucero, Glenn Khobuntin of TNT, Stephen Holt of Ginebra, and Munzon, who carved out his reputation on both ends of the floor.

What makes Fajardo’s ninth MVP remarkable is not simply the numbers — though they speak loudly enough. He amassed 3,041 points, dominating statistics (1,668), media votes (855), and player votes (518), outpacing Bolick (1,914 total) and Tolentino (1,901).

 It’s the symbolism that resonates more: Fajardo has transcended eras, weathered challenges from younger stars, and emerged still as the standard. He is, in many ways, the bridge between legends past and the generation rising now.

As the PBA embarks on its 50th season, the question lingers: how long can June Mar continue to define greatness?

For now, the only certainty is that basketball in the Philippines will measure every MVP that comes after against the man who made nine the new impossible.

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