June Mar Fajardo auctions first PBA MVP trophy to help Typhoon Tino victims

The Philippines was recently battered by a series of typhoons, with the province of Cebu particularly hard-hit by Typhoon “Tino,” leaving a trail of devastation, deaths, and the displacement of thousands of residents.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Typhoon “Tino” has claimed 232 lives as of Tuesday, November 11, with 112 people still missing and 512 others injured.

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and Gilas Pilipinas legend June Mar Fajardo, a native of Compostela, Cebu, is stepping up to help. Fajardo announced that he is putting his first PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy—one of his record nine MVP awards—up for auction to raise funds for the typhoon victims. He confirmed the gesture during halftime of San Miguel Beermen’s 158–117 win over the Titan Ultra Giant Risers at the Ynares Center in Montalban on Wednesday, November 12. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Alagang Kapatid Foundation, the charity arm of the league’s broadcast partner TV5.

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“Siyempre nakakalungkot, hirap mawalan, dami nawalan ng bahay, nawalan ng hanapbuhay, lalo na ‘yung iba, nawalan ng pamilya, mahal sa buhay. Alam ko mahirap, mahirap bumangon sa trahedya. Pero ‘yun nga, tiwala lang tayo, pray lang tayo malalagpasan natin ‘yon,” Fajardo said in a media interaction.

Nine-time #PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo decides to auction his first MVP trophy to support relief efforts as the country was battered by typhoons.

Fajardo also has encouraging words for those who were affected. #PBA50 | @kennedyzcaacbay pic.twitter.com/uJSUksky8H

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) November 12, 2025

“Pray lang tayo kay God ng lakas ng loob na makabangon. Magpo-provide naman si God para sa atin,” he added.

Fajardo, who won his first PBA MVP award in the 2014–15 season and went on to secure five consecutive MVP honors, explained why he chose to auction his first trophy. He noted that it represents years of hard work, sacrifices, and personal triumphs, and believed it would raise more funds than a game-worn jersey.

“Nung tinanong nga ako kung ano ‘yung ipapa-auction ko, ‘yun ‘yung naisip ko kasi ‘yung trophy na ‘yon, special sa ‘kin kasi years of hard work ‘yon, sakripisyo, tapos andun ‘yung failures. At successful din ako nung season na ‘yon, nakuha ko ‘yung MVP, espesyal ‘yon para sa ‘kin. ‘Yun nga, espesyal ‘yung mga Cebuano para sa ‘kin,” Fajardo concluded.

The PBA is also mobilizing additional efforts to assist typhoon victims. Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that the league aims to raise PHP 4 million to 5 million to provide construction materials and supplies for affected families across Bicol, Cebu, Negros, Catanduanes, and Aurora.

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