FAJARDO IS PBA SEASON 39’S BEST
June Mar Fajardo capped off a stellar sophomore season with a complete ascension to the top by winning this year’s Most Valuable Player award in the 2014 Leo Awards Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Pinamungahan, Cebu native was the runaway winner for the top plum, garnering a total of 2,614 equivalent points, from 1,145 stats votes, 1,075 media votes, 94 player votes, and 300 votes from the PBA Commissioner’s Office.
It was an impressive season for Fajardo, who averaged 16.8 points, league-high 14.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, 1.4 assists, and shot 55-percent from the field.
“Hard work lang at dedication sa lahat ng ginagawa mo, yung mga gusto mong ma-achieve sa buhay,” said Fajardo. “Gusto ko ring mag-champion eh. Ito, reward lang sa mga hard work na ginawa ko. Hopefully, makuha ko rin yung championship na pinapangarap ko.”
He added, “Maraming nangarap na makuha din yung award na ‘to dahil marami ring player na magaling dito sa PBA. Nakakataba ng puso.”
The 6-foot-10 Beerman, also known for his “Kraken” monicker, also thanked the fans, the PBA, and the media for bestowing the honor on him, and dedicated the MVP award to his school – University of Cebu and former head coach Roel Gomez, his family, especially his uncle Lito Dugho, who recently passed away due to liver cancer.
“Pag nanonood ng basketball yun, kahit di na nakakatayo, pag nakaka-score ako, tatayo siya at sisigaw siya. Kahit sobrang sakit ng nararamdaman niya, natutuwa siya,” he said of his uncle.
It was Fajardo’s fourth award for the night after earning nods in the Mythical First Team, All-Defensive Team, and Most Improved Player honors.
Barangay Ginebra’s Slaughter was also the unanimous choice for the Rookie of the Year plum, beating out Raymond Almazan, Ian Sangalang, Terrence Romeo, and Justin Melton.
MVP contenders Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo of Talk ‘N Text and Asi Taulava of Air21 all made it to the Mythical First Team, along with San Mig Coffee’s Mark Barroca.
Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee, San Mig Coffee’s Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, Slaughter, and Alaska’s Sonny Thoss were named to the Mythical Second Team.
Fajardo, Pingris, Barroca, and the Rain or Shine duo of Gabe Norwood and Jireh Ibañes were in the All-Defensive Team, while Willie Miller won the Sportsmanship Award. (RL)
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