June Mar Fajardo is focusing on leading San Miguel to the PBA title after winning a 12th BPC award

San Miguel Beermen legend June Mar Fajardo is widely regarded as the greatest player in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history, a claim supported by his record eight Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards.

Fajardo further cemented his legacy by winning the PBA Best Player of the Conference award for a record-extending 12th time on Sunday, July 20, recognizing his outstanding performance in the ongoing Philippine Cup. He earned the honor after leading San Miguel to the finals, where they currently hold a 3–1 lead over the TNT Tropang Giga and are favored to capture yet another PBA championship.

The 35-year-old averaged 16.0 points, a league-leading 13.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game across 19 appearances through to the Philippine Cup semifinals. This marks his ninth Best Player of the Conference award in the last 11 seasons, and his second such honor this year, having also won it during the Governors’ Cup.

June Mar Fajardo talks about the Game 4 win and his Best Player of the Conference award. #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/8tIjWtgt2E

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) July 20, 2025

Fajardo amassed a total of 1,085 points, consisting of statistical points (489), media votes (505), and player votes (91), finishing with an average of 39.6 statistical points (SPs). He edged out teammate CJ Perez (704 points), followed by NLEX Road Warriors’ Robert Bolick (563), Magnolia Hotshots’ Zavier Lucero (469), and Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Jason Perkins (441).

Nicknamed “The Kraken,” Fajardo expressed his gratitude to the PBA, his teammates, and the fans, while emphasizing that his focus remains on capturing the championship.

“Thankful ako. Siyempre blessing pa rin ‘yan. Sabi ko nga sa inyo, kini-keep ko lang ‘yan dito sa puso ko. ‘Yung puso ko parang kaban lang ‘yan, lahat ng memories andu’n lahat. Pero never umakyat sa isip ko mga awards ko,” Fajardo said during the award ceremony.

“Wala pa kaming naipapanalo. Malayo pa ‘yan. Kailangan pa namin manalo ng isang game,” he added.

As the series heads into Game 5 on Wednesday, July 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the spotlight is on whether TNT can mount a miraculous comeback—or if San Miguel will close out the series and further solidify their status as one of the PBA’s most dominant dynasties.

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