While he was happy to nab a record-extending 11th Best Player of the Conference plum, June Mar Fajardo would have preferred to win a championship for San Miguel.
With the number of individual awards June Mar Fajardo has won the past 12 years in the PBA, one would think there was no place for another in his trophy shelves.
The San Miguel superstar begged to differ.
“Kasya pa naman,” Fajardo said with a grin after winning a record-extending 11 Best Player of the Conference plum on Sunday, Nov. 3.
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While he said the aforementioned in jest, this also reflects his desire to win more for the Beermen, who are chasing a 30th title in the oldest cage league in Asia.
In fact, the 34-year-old doesn’t mind winning another in the next two conferences this season.
“Hindi ko masabi,” Fajardo said when asked how many more he thinks he can win.
“Sana next year ulit, sana next conference kaagad. Basta ako, gagawin ko 'yung best ko para makatulong sa team. 'Yung mga awards naman, parang reward na lang 'yan sa hardwork.”
June Mar Fajardo keeps rewriting records in the PBA. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
But as cliche as it sounds, Fajardo would have preferred to win a championship with San Miguel.
“Pero hindi naman 'yan (receiving individual awards) 'yung goal ko. Hindi naman ako nagtsi-chase ng individual award,” Fajardo added.
“Mas masaya kasi 'pag nag-champion lahat, nakakatanggap ng incentives. Kasi 'pag BPC, ako lang. Pag nag-chachampion kami lahat. Pati mga teammates ko, mga ball boys, nagkaka-incentive. 'Yun 'yung goal.”
After 10 championships — laced with another record in his eight Most Valuable Player awards among his other individual recognitions, Fajardo does not plan on stopping anytime soon.
For as long as the pride of Pinamungajan, Cebu could play, he would give it his all.
“Darating 'yung araw, lilipas din ako. Matatapos din ang career ko sa PBA. Hanggang nandito ako, hangga't anong kaya kong ibigay, ibibigay ko. Kasi pagdating ng panahon, para wala na akong babalikang, ‘Sana pala nagpursigi ako. Sana nag extra work ako.’ Pagdating ng panahon na 'yun, wala na akong regrets,” Fajardo said.