PBA legend Ramon Fernandez agreed with retired Barangay Ginebra guard Jayjay Helterbrand’s opinion that San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo would not have won eight PBA MVP trophies if he had played in the 2000s.

In an interview with DWAR Abante Radyo’s SPORTSNOW, Fernandez noted that Fajardo’s dominance and MVP success are largely due to his unmatched size in the current league.

“Eh, walang kalaban eh. Sa laki niya at walang kalaban, kaya easy sa kanya (manalo ng MVP),” the four-time PBA MVP said. “So, kung merong kompetisyon, hindi ganoon kadali, mas mahihirapan siya ng kaunti.”

“Maski siguro, kayang mag-sampu sigurado nyan, walang makakapigil sa kanya eh. Hanggang 38 years old, kung healthy lang siya, depende sa kanya eh,” added Fernandez, who previously mentored Fajardo at the University of Cebu.

Fernandez, meanwhile, expressed hope that the PBA will introduce a reinforced conference with no height limit to allow other teams to better match up with Fajardo and the Beermen.

In a recent PBA Motoclub vlog, Helterbrand noted that the 6-foot-10 Fajardo would likely struggle to win MVP awards if competing against prominent bigs from the 2000s, such as Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, Andy Seigle, and Ali Peek.

“Kung nandun sila Ali Peek, Eric Menk, Asi Taulava, and Andy Seigle (iba pang 2000’s bigs) makaka-eight times ba na MVP ang June Mar Fajardo?” Rico Maierhofer asked Helterbrand.

“Malabo. I am not saying he’s not gonna get MVP’s. I am just saying I don’t think he will get eight (MVPs), maybe two or three,” Helterbrand responded.