It was a well-deserved award for The Kraken.
San Miguel Beermen superstar June Mar Fajardo begins every interview with a special shoutout to God. But it was not exactly the case on Sunday.
“Hindi ko alam kung san ako magsisimula,” said Fajardo upon receiving his seventh MVP award during the PBA Leo Awards at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Then, he suddenly remembered how he normally opens speeches before thanking everyone who supported him throughout his decorated career in an unusually lengthy speech.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay God sa blessings na binigay sa ’kin at sa pamilya ko,” said the 6-foot-10 behemoth, who also dedicated the plum to his mother who passed away in 2021.
Among those he was thankful for was the medical team led by Dr. Raul Canlas.
Fajardo admitted in the same speech that he had doubts after suffering a complete fracture of his right tibia back in 2020. He thought that was it for him, but Canlas and company did wonders and allowed him to regain his MVP form last season, where he won the Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference honors.
“Nag-start nung na-injure ako. Nabali tibia ko, nag-cross sa isip ko na baka ‘yun na end ng career ko kasi ano talaga ‘yung injury, malala,” said Abai, who also missed some games in the Governors' Cup due to an MCL injury.
“Pero thankful (ako) kela Doc Canlas na nagtulong-tulong para ikabit uli tibia ko. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, sa mga PTs ko, thankful ako sa kanila kasi sila nagtulong para makabalik ako sa game,” Fajardo added.
The 33-year-old ended his speech with a message to kids who aspire to become the best of the best.
“Sa mga bata na gusto makaabot sa PBA or kahit sa NBA, magtrabaho lang kayo. Mag practice kayong mabuti, makinig sa mga coaches at wag isipin na masyadong magaling na tayo. Coachable tayo dapat,” he said.
It was, indeed, an unusually lengthy speech for The Kraken, who has always been a man of few words. But after what he went through since the time he last held that MVP trophy in 2019, it is safe to safe that he had a lot on his chest—and it was certainly refreshing to hear the newly minted MVP pour his heart out as the PBA's best.
(MDB)