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| June Mar Fajardo. 6x PBA MVP. Photo: CNN Philippines |
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Happy reading, and please do stay at home if you can.
Just about every sports writer/ influencer/ fan/ blogger has already written about the PBA's unrivaled 6x Most Valuable Player June mar Fajardo. Of how a quiet 6"10 Cebuano rose to fame from the province, before moving to the ASEAN Basketball League as a sparingly used bench warmer (we can't even call him a role player at the time) and then the PBA. Sure, he still looks lost in the scheme of things whenever he is asked to play for flag and country. But when given the time, the play, the opportunity to show his wares, he has always handled himself pretty well against the best of them.
And not once did we hear any news of him not wanting to play. If he's healthy, he'll suit up. In spite of the fact that whoever's been coaching the national team, tends to run a more perimeter oriented style rather than making full use of Fajardo and the 6"11 import Andray Blatche.
He'll suit up for flag and country. No questions asked.
Growing up, we only knew of one "Living Legend." And that was the charismatic leader of Barangay Ginebra, Robert Jaworski, Sr. He didn't win as many MVPs as Fajardo, or championships for that matter, but he was the Legend of Philippine basketball. When we started watching in the mid-90s, he was already pushing 50, but in the few minutes that he played with his younger teammates, he showed class, poise and basketball savvy.
Other names followed: Alvin Patrimonio, the 4x PBA MVP, equipped with great basketball skills, great looks and a good head on his shoulders. He was succeeded by another, James Yap, who was also of the same mold.
Today, we have Fajardo.
And though he may not be up there in terms of boyband-looks, he is charismatic as he is shy and approachable. We once saw him at an awards night and, like the fans that we all are, asked to have a photo taken with him. He simply said sure, but not before asking "why." Not that he was trying to brush us off at the time, since we were also decked in fancy suits as guests of a fancy, snobbish affair, but more like "I'm just a simple guy, why have a photo taken with me sir?" kind of question.
We simply answered, "because, you're a legend, Sir!"
On an off night, Fajardo would still be able to get 12 points and 10 rebounds. He has been battling rougher bigs: Beau Belga, Asi Taulava, JayR Quinahan, and then some. Guys who may not be as skilled offensively, but are definitely up there in terms of physicality on the defensive side.
Now, we've touched on this previously on our Twitter handle @kilikilishot ; how Fajardo appears to be lacking a definitive rival. Taulava would've been an excellent choice during his heydays, but the Fil-Tonggan is now on just a conference away from calling it a career. There's the 7"0 Greg Slaughter, who opted to go on hiatus this season. Both starting their careers in Cebu, Slaughter was pencilled in to be the guy to match Fajardo and then some.
Unfortunately, their games differ on so many levels. One is a go-to-guy (Fajardo), the other thrives better as a facilitator/ role player.
Sure, teams armed themselves with bigs to combat Fajardo: everyone from athletic, tall guys like Raymond Almazan, Jackson Corpuz and Ian Sangalan to heavy hitters like Beau Belga, JayR Quinahan, Jewel Ponferrada and Mike Miranda.
You could say that none of the above would be able to challenge Fajardo offensively save for the occasional jumpshots or floor-spacing threes.
It's a far cry from when Taulava had to battle the likes of Danny Ildefonso, Dennis Espino, Ali Peek, Eric Menk, Davonn Harp and Marlou Aquino.
But that's not exactly Fajardo's fault. Not with the "new" style of basketball being played, moving away from the post and basically just having everyone shoot from the outside. It's almost become a lost art-- one that makes Fajardo even more legendary.
He's a throwback in a league searching for unicorns to rival those of the international game. Kai Sotto is in the United States trying to play like a guard. Japeth Aguilar has basically given up on playing inside and ultimately worked on his jumpshot (who's going to block his shot anyway, standing at 6"9).
Seal. Catch. Dribble. Back, back, spin, mini chicken-wing, and bucket.
Repeat 6 times en route to 6 PBA MVPs.
Currently, Fajardo has been sideline by a freak shin injury suffered in the off-season. From what we've gathered, he might be out for the whole season (and maybe more) to fully recover. We're not privy to the extent of his injury-- some say it's similar to certain NBA players; all of whom were able to make a successful comeback.
But should Fajardo even try to make a comeback?
Putting everything in perspective, he's a 30 year old 6 time PBA MVP. There is simply no one in history who could say that. Not Patrimonio or fellow 4x awardee Ramon Fernandez. At 30, both were probably still 1-2 MVPs short of reaching their 4th.
He'll most likely suit up when he's back and healthy. He'll still anchor the Beermen. They have a very long history of taking care of their prized players.
He'll probably even get another invite to play for Gilas. Which he should. But doesn't really need. Unless they skew the offense somewhat to make full use of Fajardo's strength and not expose his weaknesses on the international stage.
Comeback or not, Fajardo is already a Filipino sports legend at 30. And somehow, someway, when it's all said and done, we feel that MVP number 6 won't be his last.
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