June Mar Fajardo makes history, wins fifth PBA Finals MVP in San Miguel’s Philippine Cup victory

From the moment the San Miguel Beermen took control on Sunday night, the outcome felt inevitable—less a matter of “if” and more a matter of “when.” By the time the final buzzer sounded at the Mall of Asia Arena, San Miguel was once again standing atop the Philippine Basketball Association, cementing its legacy as one of the league’s most dominant franchises.

Central to the Beermen’s victory was June Mar Fajardo, whose towering presence in the paint and consistent all-around brilliance lifted San Miguel to a 92-77 triumph over TNT Tropang Giga, completing a 4-2 series victory in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup Finals. Fajardo’s stat line—29 points and 23 rebounds in Game 6 alone—was a testament to his enduring dominance, and he repeatedly showcased why he is considered the face of Philippine basketball.

Adding to the historic weight of the night, PBA legend and former mentor Ramon Fernandez watched from courtside as Fajardo delivered a performance befitting history. The league’s nine-time Most Valuable Player was awarded the first-ever Finals MVP trophy named in Fernandez’s honor, a fitting tribute to both the past and the present. Across the six-game series, Fajardo averaged 19.7 points, 18.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game, earning his fifth PBA Finals MVP award—breaking the tie with Danny Seigle, LA Tenorio, and James Yap, and making him the player with the most Finals MVP trophies in league history.

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Mar Fajardo expressed his deep honor at being the inaugural recipient of a trophy named after his idol.

History made as June Mar Fajardo becomes the very first player to win the Ramon Fernandez Finals MVP Trophy a poetic start to an award named after a legend, now claimed by a modern great. l Via Zeus Valdez#Fastbreak #PBAFinals #JuneMarFajardo pic.twitter.com/bdBHBmj8AA

— Fastbreak (@fastbreaknewsph) February 1, 2026

“Isang karangalan. Nakakatuwa isipin na ako yung kauna-unahang makakuha ng trophy na ‘to, na nakapangalan kay Don Ramon Fernandez. Siya mismo ang nag-abot sa akin ng trophy, kaya isang karangalan,” Fajardo said.

The 36-year-old big man, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in PBA history, remains humble despite comparisons to Fernandez. While some circles even place him above the league legend, Fajardo insists that championships, not individual accolades, remain his primary focus.

“For sure isa ‘to sa mga highlights ng championship na ‘to. Nasa taas ‘to ng trophy case ko. Isa siya sa mga nilu-look up ko. Hindi naman sa hinahabol ko, pero yung habol ko lang, championships. Gusto ko pang manalo habang nandito pa ako. Bago pa ako dumating sa San Miguel, may willing culture na. Tumulong lang talaga kami,” he added, reflecting on the team-first mentality that has defined San Miguel over the years.

The Philippine Cup victory marked Fajardo’s 12th PBA championship, further solidifying his status among the league’s all-time greats. Despite this milestone, he still trails Fernandez, who captured a record 19 PBA titles over his illustrious career, the most in league history.

Fajardo’s dominance, consistency, and humility exemplify why he is widely seen as a generational talent capable of redefining the PBA landscape. With the Finals MVP honor now permanently linked to his name in history alongside Fernandez, Fajardo’s legacy continues to grow, proving that even in his 30s, he remains the cornerstone of a franchise—and a standard-bearer for Philippine basketball excellence.

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