June Mar Fajardo officially enters PBA legend status after being named to the 50 Greatest Players list.
The inclusion of June Mar Fajardo in the latest batch of the PBA’s Greatest players was a no-brainer.
Just ask league legend Atoy Co.
“Wala na sigurong lalagpas pa sa ginawa. It will take many, many years para may lumabas na isang June Mar Fajardo na nagkaroon ng eight MVP [awards] sa PBA,” Co said of Fajardo during the announcement of the additional 10 players in the exclusive circle.
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One simply could not ignore the eight Most Valuable Player awards the San Miguel superstar have reaped since joining the league in 2012.
The 10-man selection committee, which included Co, fellow legend Allain Caidic, Philippine Star Sports Editor Nelson Beltran and Toyota coach Dante Silverio, decided MVP winners like Fajardo should be a shoo-in.
“How many years has he played? 13? In 13 years, he got eight MVPs. Sa pagpili, 'yong MVP, customary na kasi. Pero kahit hindi customary, ipagpipilitan kong ipasok si June Mar,” added Co.
June Mar Fajardo cements his status as among the greatest to play in the PBA. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Joining Fajardo are the other elite players in Nelson Asaytono, Jeffrey Cariaso, Bong Hawkins, Abe King, Danny Seigle, Arnie Tulades, Yoyo Villamin, Manny Victorino and current Ginebra star Scottie Thompson.
“Dagdag ko lang: Ako, para sa'kin, naipit lang siya (Fajardo) sa cutoff noong 40 Greatest. Dapat kasama na siya doon,” said Caidic, referring to the time when the PBA released the list of 40 Greatest Players when Fajardo was still a rising star.
Before the 6-foot-10 behemoth came into the PBA, it was Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio who held the record for most number of MVPs with four apiece.
Fajardo has matched their combined MVP plum, and it doesn’t look like he’s stopping at No. 8.