San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo was named the 2014 Most Valuable Player of the PBA on Saturday after a season that saw him emerge as the most dominant force in local basketball.
Fajardo averaged 16.2 points and a league-leading 14.2 rebounds to become the second member of the San Miguel Beer franchise to win the PBA’s top honor in as many years. Last season, Arwind Santos won MVP as part of the team then known as the Petron Blaze Boosters.
After receiving his award, Fajardo paid tribute to school officials, coaches, and teammates from University of Cebu.
The ever-humble Fajardo also thanked San Miguel Beer for selecting him first overall in 2012. “Sana hindi sila nagkamali sa pagpili sa akin,” said Fajardo, who dedicated the award to his family including an uncle who passed away last Thursday.
The 6-foot-10 pride of Cebu led the First Mythical Team also composed of guards Jayson Castro and Ranidel De Ocampo of Talk ‘N Text, Mark Barroca of San Mig Coffee, and Asi Taulava of Air 21.
Fajardo and Barroca were also named to the All-Defensive Team alongside Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee and Jireh Ibanes and Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine.
Fajardo went home with the most hardware for the afternoon as he also bagged Most Improved Player honors.
Greg Slaughter was the first Ginebra player to win Rookie of the Year since Mark Caguioa in 2001.Β KC Cruz
Greg Slaughter of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, meanwhile, won Rookie of the Year, becoming the first member of the Gin Kings to win the honor since Mark Caguioa in 2001.
Slaughter led the Second Mythical Team that also included Pingris and Peter June Simon of San Mig Coffee, Paul Lee of Rain or Shine, and Sonny Thoss of Alaska.
Willie Miller of Barako Bull, a two-time MVP, won the league’s Sportsmanship Award.Β – JST, GMA News.
