By REYNALD MAGALLON
On the night June Mar Fajardo received his eighth Most Valuable Player Award, he immediately expressed his desire of winning another in the next season.
“Sana next year ulit,” he ended his short speech, eliciting laughter from fellow players.
He might not be all too serious when he said that but his performance in his first game was saying otherwise. And action speaks louder than words as they say.
The 6-foot-10 behemoth lorded it over in San Miguel’s 111-107 victory over Phoenix, dropping conference-highs of 37 points and 24 rebounds as he began the new season the way he ended the last – with just sheer dominance.
Asked about his showing as testament to his earlier statement of wanting to further extend his record for the most MVPs won, Fajardo played it coy although he admitted there was far more motivation for him to perform well other than the individual plums.
“Matagal pa iyon,” commented a smiling Fajardo.
“Kailangan namin mag bounce back this conference kasi last conference natalo kami. Dinidibdib namin ‘yon, nandun na kami muntik na kami manalo, natalo kami,” added the 34-year-old center.
Fajardo said the Beermen remained hungry for championship especially after the loss to Meralco in the finals of the Philippine Cup and that alone is serving as a huge fuel for success for the team.
“Bagong conference bagong season same goal pa rin. Makaabot sa finals at makuha ang championship sabi nga ni coach one game at a time muna ladder by ladder gagawin namin yon,” he added.
San Miguel head coach Jorge Gallent was the least surprised by Fajardo’s performance, knowing full well how the Cebuano big man works even when he already won eight MVP awards.
“June Mar always plays hard. He goes to basketball. He plays 100 percent and that’s what is good about him. All of his achievements are coming from all of that. As June Mar told me, without hard work there’s no talent.
