Robert Bolick, June Mar Fajardo, and the thrilling Game 6 of the Philippine Cup finals between Meralco and San Miguel are among those to be cited in the 30th PBA Press Corps Awards Night set Sept. 24 at the Novotel Manila Araneta City.
Bolick, the prolific shooting guard from NLEX, will be recognized as the Season 48 Scoring Champion, while Fajardo will receive the prestigious Order of Merit.
The Beermen and Bolts will also share the “Game of the Season” award for their unforgettable showdown in the Philippine Cup Finals.
Bolick, 32, led the league in scoring with an impressive average of 25.3 points per game in his first season with the Road Warriors, following a blockbuster trade with NorthPort for Don Trollano.
His scoring average was the highest by any local player in the last 11 seasons, surpassing Gary David’s 25.8 points per game for Powerade during the 2011-12 season, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
Meanwhile, the 6-foot-10 Fajardo will be honored with his third Order of Merit, having previously received the award in 2018 and 2019.
Fajardo tied with Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort and Jason Perkins of Phoenix for the most PBAPC-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week honors, but his standout performances during the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals (Jan. 24-28) and the Philippine Cup playoffs (May 15-19) gave him the edge for the award.
Fajardo, the league’s only eight-time MVP, played a key role in the “Game of the Season,” where he went head-to-head with Meralco’s Chris Newsome during the final moments of Game 6 of the All-Filipino Cup title series.
In a dramatic twist, the 34-year-old Fajardo sank a stunning three-pointer off a broken play, tying the game at 78-all with just 3.3 seconds remaining.
This capped San Miguel’s comeback from a 17-point deficit, including a 10-point surge in the final five minutes.
However, Meralco responded in clutch fashion, with Newsome delivering a hanging jumper to seal the win and secure the Bolts’ first PBA championship in franchise history.
