Player Profile: June Mar Fajardo, the “Kraken” of Philippine basketball

June Mar Fajardo, born on November 17, 1989, is a Filipino professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the most dominant forces in Philippine basketball history. 

His imposing size and remarkable finesse have earned him the nickname “The Kraken.”

Personal Information:

• Born: November 17, 1989, in Compostela, Cebu, Philippines. He later moved with his parents to Pinamungajan, Cebu, where he spent most of his younger and teen years.
• Nationality: Filipino
• High School: Pinamungajan National High School (Pinamungajan, Cebu)
• College: University of Cebu (2007–2011)

Physical Attributes and Position:

• Height: 6’11” (2.11 m)
• Weight: 268 lbs (122 kg)
• Position: Center

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Fajardo’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary, marked by numerous individual accolades and team championships with the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). 

He is the only player in PBA history to win eight Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. His impressive list of achievements also includes:

• 10 PBA League Titles
• 4 Finals MVP Trophies
• 11 Best Player of the Conference (BPC) Citations
• 9 Mythical Team Selections
• 7 All-Defensive Team Appearances

He has also consistently represented the Philippines on the international stage, participating in events such as the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and was part of the team that won the gold medal in the 2022 Asian Games.

Playing Style and Impact:

Fajardo is known for his dominant post-game, exceptional rebounding, and surprising agility for his size. His ability to score efficiently in the paint, combined with his strong defensive presence, makes him a nightmare matchup for opposing teams. He is a consistent double-double threat and often leads his team in statistical categories.

As of recent reports (July 2025), Fajardo continues to be a statistical leader in the PBA, on track for another Best Player of the Conference plum, averaging 17.5 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in the Philippine Cup elimination round. His enduring passion for the game and hunger for more hardware continue to define his illustrious career.

June Mar Fajardo’s dominance in the PBA to a hypothetical NBA career highlights the significant differences between the two leagues in terms of talent pool, physicality, and playing style.

June Mar Fajardo may be on his way to another Best Player of the Conference award as he led the statistical points race of the PBA Philippine Cup at the end of the elimination round.

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Opinion: 

In the PBA, June Mar Fajardo is an undeniable force of nature, a generational talent who has virtually rewritten the league’s record books. His combination of size, strength, footwork, and touch in the low post is simply unmatched by his peers. 

He consistently averages double-doubles, leads the league in rebounding, and is often among the top scorers, allowing him to collect an unprecedented eight MVP awards and numerous championships for the San Miguel Beermen. 

In the PBA, he is often the biggest player on the court, capable of overpowering defenders and commanding double-teams, which opens up opportunities for his teammates. The pace of play, while still athletic, often allows for more deliberate half-court sets where Fajardo’s post-up game can truly shine.

However, the NBA presents a fundamentally different challenge. While Fajardo’s height and weight are certainly NBA-caliber, the overall athleticism, speed, and skill level across all positions are on an entirely different plane.

In summary, while June Mar Fajardo is an undisputed PBA legend whose dominance is related to that of an NBA superstar within his league, his game would likely translate to a more specialized role in the NBA. 

He would be a valuable asset for his rebounding, interior scoring, and powerful screen-setting, but the sheer speed, athleticism, and comprehensive skill sets required at the highest level would present a different kind of challenge, making it unlikely he could replicate his PBA-level statistical dominance.

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