By MARK REY MONTEJO
There’s no question why San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo is one of the most beloved PBA players.
To his adoring fans, the 34-year-old Cebuano star is a true gentle giant – one who is very humble, charismatic and down-to-earth.
Even when he won his 11th Best Player of the Conference plum on Sunday – one better than the combined trophies of Jayson Castro and Danny Ildefonso (they have five each) – the 6-foot-10 Fajardo has remained unassuming – a rare virtue these days.
“Nasa isip ko lagi na wala pa akong napalanunan, kaya lagi kong pinu-push ‘yong sarili ko na magpursigi, never umakyat sa isip ko ‘yong mga awards ko,” said Fajardo.
He claimed the BPC after amassing 989 points, enough to beat Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar (664) and Scottie Thompson (465), NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino (421), NLEX’s Robert Bolick (401) and teammate CJ Perez (366) for the award.
While he’s ultra proud of his growing achievements, Fajardo said these won’t make him bigheaded.
“Hanggang dito lang ‘yan [point to his heart], chine-cherish ko ‘yan pero never umakyat sa isip ko ‘yong mga napalanunan maski isa kaya ‘yon nagdra-drive sakin na magpursige,” he added.
And when Fajardo was asked if he anticipated the feat, his polite answer was “No”. “Hindi nga eh, kasi nasa Cebu nga ako, [pero] masaya ako na nakuha ko ‘tong award na ‘to. Blessing din ‘to,” said Fajardo.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat lalo na sa inyo [media], sa mga coaches ko, sa mga kapwa ko players,” he added.
But it could be a lot sweeter if he took the award while playing in the finals.
“‘Yon naman talaga ang goal eh, makaabot sa finals at tyaka makakuha ng championship. Ito parang consolation,” Fajardo continued.
In his effort to console Aguilar, Fajardo said: “Sakin nalang muna ‘yong BPC, sa kanya na ‘yong championship.”
