June Mar Fajardo remains a prominent role model for the young hoopers today.
Seven-time PBA MVP. 10-time champion. Multiple-time Finals MVP and Best Player Conference awardee.
June Mar Fajardo’s accolades speak for themselves and there’s no question a lot of this generation’s young Pinoy hoopers idolize the San Miguel Beermen’s gentle giant.
Dylan Umadhay is not an exception to that.
The 15-year-old Grade 10-student out of Valladolid, Negros Occidental and her mother, Arlene, were featured in “Dear Eat Bulaga Segment” of the iconic noontime show last Saturday, February 24.
Arlene was a public school teacher who wrote a letter to the program in hopes of giving Dylan a pair of basketball shoes for his basketball journey in Negros.
In the middle of segment, it was revealed that Dylan’s basketball idol was none other than The Kraken himself.
Fajardo, who was raised in Pinamungajan, Cebu, couldn't quite make it to the show due to Gilas commitments. Nevertheless, the 34-year-old big man left an inspiring message to the young hooper.
“Galingan mo [Dylan] sa pagba-basketball. Practice ka lang ng mabuti tapos sipagan mo yung pagpapapractice mo at huwag mo pababayaan ‘yung pag-aaral mo, ‘yun yung importante,’ Fajardo said.
The Gilas mainstay also emphasized that it's important to keep playing despite the circumstances, and he wished nothing but success for Dylan’s future.
“Okay lang kahit hindi maganda 'yung sapatos natin. Laro lang nang laro. Sana marating mo ‘yung mga pangarap mo sa buhay,” Fajardo added.
As good and dominating as he is inside the hardcourt, JMF is just as good and humble as he is off the court too.
No wonder a lot of young and aspiring Pinoy hoopers are idolizing The Kraken.
ALSO READ: 2024 PBA All-Star Game rosters set for Team Japeth and Team Barroca