June Mar Fajardo now has nearly a decade’s worth of MVP trophies after being named the Season 49’s best in the annual Leo Awards on Sunday.
The San Miguel star claimed the league’s highest individual award for the ninth time during the grand ceremonies held at the Novotel Manila Araneta City.
It was his third MVP in a row as well since yielding the plum to Ginebra star Scottie Thompson in 2022 — a time when he was still regaining his form after suffering a shin injury in 2020 that forced him to sit out the ‘bubble’ in Clark.
Years later, and there’s no doubt that he’s gotten back to his old ways — or become even better — that has left the Beermen delighted, especially after helping the franchise ascend back to the throne as king of the Philippine Cup.
#WATCH: 👑 June Mar Fajardo delivers his speech after claiming his 9th PBA MVP award! 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/tI2phPtqx3
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/UVoJPH5JY0
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 5, 2025
And making it all the more satisfying for him and the team was the fact that they did it by foiling TNT and its bid for a Grand Slam, similar to what SMB — then carrying the Petron banner — did to the flagship MVP franchise in 2011.
Fajardo finished the season with per-game averages of 19.2 points, a league-best 15.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and a block in 36.4 minutes of action.
The Cebuano star, of course, bannered the Mythical First Team, crowded by teammate CJ Perez, Season 49’s best scorer in Arvin Tolentino of the erstwhile NorthPort, Tropang 5G’s Calvin Oftana, and NLEX’s Robert Bolick.
The Mythical Second Team, on the other hand, is composed of Thompson and another ‘ka-Barangay’ in Japeth Aguilar, TNT’s 3-and-D specialist Roger Pogoy, rising Magnolia star Zavier Lucero, and Justin Arana of Converge.
Fajardo is also a member of the All-Defensive Team, which also features Lucero, Joshua Munzon of the now-Titan Ultra franchise, Kings two-way combo guard Stephen Holt, and Tropang 5G bruiser Glenn Khobuntin.
Munzon — who’s expected to be the face of the Giant Risers, especially in their maiden league campaign — came away with Most Improved Player honors.
Winning the Rookie of the Year title was RJ Abarrientos. He played a key role in Ginebra’s back-to-back Finals appearance in the season that was, as proven by his numbers of 12.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 steals.
Gian Mamuyac, meanwhile, was bestowed with the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award. The newly appointed team captain of Rain or Shine exemplified ethical behavior, fair play, and integrity during the past season.
