Eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA — June Mar Fajardo has made history yet again.

The San Miguel Beermen superstar was awarded his eighth PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum earlier Sunday at the annual LEO Awards at the Araneta Coliseum, and he said that he is grateful for getting the league’s top individual award once more.

“Siyempre masaya ako na nakuha ko ulit yung MVP award. ‘Di ko naman talaga goal ito, pero thankful ako kay God at sa PBA,” he told reporters after the proceedings, while also expressing his love for his fellow Beermen.

“Etong mga awards na ito, dine-dedicate ko rin ‘to sa mga teammates ko. ‘Di ko naman makukuha ang mga ito kundi dahil sa teammates ko. Tinutulungan rin nila ako, kaya para din sa kanila ito at sa mga coaches ko,” continued the gentle giant.

Aside from his eight MVP awards, The 6-foot-10, former 2012 Rookie Draft first overall pick has won 10 league titles, four Finals MVP trophies, 10 Best Player of the Conference citations, nine Mythical Team selections, and seven All-Defensive Team appearances among many other more.

But despite these feats, Fajardo said that he was not even supposed to be in this position in the first place.

“Sa totoo lang, ‘di ko na-imagine na makakakuha ako ng ganitong karaming MVPs. Ano lang ba ako dati? Sa totoo lang talaga, ‘di naman talaga ako naglalaro ng basketball eh,” said the University of Cebu product.

“Kung afford lang ng parents ko yung college, malamang wala ako dito eh. Pero may plano si God para sa akin at sa pamilya ko kaya nag pursige ako. Kung ano mang meron ako ngayon, siguro deserve ko naman ‘yon. Di naman ‘yon handover sa akin, pinaghirapan ko naman ‘yon.”

“Nagsikap naman ako, at ito siguro yung resulta ng mga nagawa ko at sa pagtiya-tiyaga ko,” he continued.

And these, Fajardo emphasized, are also the reasons why he remains hungry for winning and earning more hardware.

“Thankful tayo sa blessing na binigay ni God, and kung may darating na blessings, tatanggapin ko. ‘Di naman ako habang buhay maglalaro eh, so habang kaya ko mag laro, iko-collect natin ‘to para pag tapos na yung career ko, may babalikan ako,” he said.

“‘Di naman ako [nagsasawa]. Sa isip ko, wala pa akong napanalunan na awards at ‘di pa ako nananalo ng MVP o Mythical. Lahat ng achievements ko, ‘di ko pinapasok sa isip ko. Yung mga awards ko, chine-cherish ko lang sa puso ko at never umakyat sa isip ko.”

“Every conference, gusto ko go hard pa rin. Yung mindset ko, gusto kong manalo ng first championship ko, gusto kong manalo ng [awards],” he stressed.