June Mar Fajardo earns 9th PBA MVP, RJ Abarrientos wins Rookie of the Year

MANILA, Philippines, October 6 ------ “The Kraken” remains on top of the PBA food chain. For a record-extending ninth time, San Miguel star June Mar Fajardo claimed the Most Valuable Player honors after another dominant season as he led the honor roll for the Leo Awards at the Novotel Manila on Sunday, October 5.

The 6-foot-10 big man from Cebu emerged as the no-surprise choice for the highest individual honor after steering the Beermen to the Philippine Cup title and picking up two more Best Player of the Conference plums. Fajardo also led the league in statistical points (SPs) with 42.1 built on averages of 19.2 points, 15.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 block to beat out MVP contenders Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort and Robert Bolick of NLEX. This season marked the third straight time Fajardo clinched the award, a sensational comeback from a career-threatening shin injury in 2020 that cut his MVP streak after he won six in a row from 2014 to 2019.

By winning MVP, Fajardo earned his 10th First Mythical Team selection, becoming just the fourth player in PBA history to make the squad at least 10 times after legends Ramon Fernandez (13) and Alvin Patrimonio (10) and former teammate Arwind Santos (10).  Joining Fajardo in the First Mythical Team were Tolentino, Bolick, fellow San Miguel star CJ Perez, and TNT standout Calvin Oftana.

Oftana cracked the First Mythical Team for the first time after helping the Tropang 5G nearly complete a Grand Slam, their bid for the rare Triple Crown falling short as they lost to the Beermen in the All-Filipino finale.

Former MVP Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra bannered the Second Mythical Team that also consisted of his teammate Japeth Aguilar, TNT’s Roger Pogoy, Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero, and Converge’s Justin Arana.

A towering presence inside, Fajardo made the All-Defensive Team as well together with Lucero, Ginebra’s Stephen Holt, TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin, and NorthPort’s Joshua Munzon.

The Gin Kings were the biggest winner among all teams with four of their players taking home awards as RJ Abarrientos nailed the Rookie of the Year honors, besting Rain or Shine’s Caelan Tiongson, Phoenix’s Kai Balunggay, and Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield.

Abarrientos played a key role for coach Tim Cone, helping Ginebra reach the finals of the first two conferences and averaging 12.7 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds.

Munzon scored two awards after being named the Most Improved Player, raising his averages of 12.3 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds from last year to 15.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. Although Munzon saw his steal average dip from 2.5 last year to 2.0 this year, he still led the entire league in the department.

Rain or Shine’s Gian Mamuyac rounded out the awardees as he bagged the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award.

Source: rappler.com