Fajardo wants legacy anchored on character, not awards in PBA

CEBU, Philippines — June Mar Fajardo only wanted to be remembered as a role model.

On Friday night, though, the San Miguel Beermen center furthered his legend in Philippine basketball lore and set the bar anew for individual accolades after winning his fourth in five pro seasons.

But he insists he would prefer to be remembered as a role model rather than someone who rewrote history.

"Gusto ko maalala ako ng mga tao after ng career ko kung ano akong klaseng player. Kung naging magandang example ba ako lalo na sa mga kabataan," he shared. "Hindi lang sa dami ng awards."

The 6-foot-11 Cebuano solidified his place among the rank of the elites after tying Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio's record of four awards. But the 27-year-old is a class of his own as he is the first to do it in succession.

"Hindi ko naman talaga priority 'yung MVP," he admitted. "Since nung college ako gusto ko talaga championship eh. Kasi mas maganda talaga yung championship. Pag nanalo kayo, 'yung feeling na… nakikita mo 'yung mukha ng mga kasama mo, lalo na 'yung fans, 'yung pamilya mo, ang saya. Mas maganda yung feeling na 'yun."

"Masaya rin sila na nanalo akong MVP pero di ba, ako lang yung makaka-bonus tapos sila hindi," he shared in jest. "So mas okay yun kung nag-champion kami pati 'yung mga ball boys, magkaka-bonus 'di ba?"

Fajardo, whose SMB team was in the hunt for a Grand Slam this season, actually beat two of his teammates for the plum: Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot.

On top of the top individual honor, the soft-spoken big man was also named to the Defensive Team and the Mythical First Team.

But despite reaping the results of his steady and equally dominant showing, Fajardo emphasized that his focus on snaring another championship hasn't gone astray.

"Championship muna. Championship talaga. Mas masaya yung championship kasi kaming lahat (mag-eenjoy)," the five-time champion closed.—Philstar.com