For June Mar Fajardo, it takes one's teammates to be able to shine individually.
In true “The Kraken” fashion, June Mar Fajardo asked his San Miguel teammates to receive his 10th Best Player of the Conference plum with him at centercourt at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, June 12.
The seven-time Most Valuable Player does this whenever he receives a major award to show that his fellow Beermen worked as much to help him win it.
“Masaya ako na nakuha ko 'yung BPC pero iki-credit ko 'yun sa mga teammates ko. Kasi hindi ko makukuha 'yun kung hindi dahil sa mga teammates ko,” said Fajardo.
What followed was a stellar showing in the Beermen’s 111-101 win over Meralco in Game 4 of the best-of-seven finale of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
Fajardo reminded everyone who the reigning MVP is – and why he continued to dominate conference after conference – as he unloaded a season-high 28 points and collared 13 rebounds as the Beermen tied the series at 2-all.
He made up for his uncharacteristic 12-point performance on 2-of-5 shooting from the field in San Miguel's 89-93 loss in Game 3 last Sunday, June 9.
San Miguel main man June Mar Fajardo tries to bulldoze his way past Meralco counterpart Brandon Bates in Game 4. | Photo (c) Sherwin Vardeleon
The 6-foot-10 slotman later insisted that his recent individual accolade had nothing to do with his tour-de-force performance.
“Motivated ako kasi down kami ng one game sa series. 'Yung BPC, bonus na lang 'yun,” he said.
Fajardo and the rest of the Beermen now set their sights on a pivotal 3-2 lead when they square off with the Bolts anew in Game 5 on Friday, June 14.
Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. at the same venue.