BACOLOD – How come June Mar Fajardo, the PBA’s only seven-time Most Valuable Player, has yet to become a captain in the All-Star Game?
That’s a question some fans have been asking ever since the league adopted the NBA’s format for its midseason extravaganza in the 2022-23 season.
For a refresher, the top two vote-getters in the fan poll will serve as team captains of their respective squads, and will then choose their teammates from a pool of players — voted in by the fans as well — in a special draft.
But ever the laid-back person that he is, the San Miguel main man is hardly bothered whatsoever by not being an All-Star captain.
“Ah, wala. Walang problema sa akin ‘yun,” he said.
“Hindi naman big deal sa akin ‘yung voting eh, Basta ako, masama ako sa All-Star, masaya na ako.”
(C) PBA Images
Not that he hasn’t experienced leading the votes, though. He was actually no. 1 in the initial returns of last season’s balloting, but ultimately finished third as Ginebra stars Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson rose up and went 1-2.
Aguilar will once again serve as a captain for the upcoming ASG after finishing second in the voting behind Magnolia veteran Mark Barroca.
Then again, Fajardo doesn’t mind any of that, refusing as well to be one and having to pick other players to construct his own All-Star team.
“Ayoko rin nun. Hassle din ‘yun. Pipili ka pa tapos baka ‘pag hindi mo napili ‘yung iba, baka magtampo pa sa’yo,” the 6-foot-10 center slotman offered, smiling. “Ayoko rin maging nasa taas. Sa baba lang ako, o sa gitna lang.”
All that matters to him is being part of the All-Star Game again, especially in this year’s festivities after missing last season’s edition in Passi City, Iloilo.
Fajardo was supposed to play for Team Japeth but got ruled out after suffering a left knee injury during the Beermen’s EASL Champions Week campaign. He was eventually replaced by Meralco big man Raymond Almazan.
“‘Di ako nakasama sa Passi. Ngayon makakasama ako,” said the 34-year-old, who’s part of Team Mark.
“Siyempre, thankful ako sa mga fans na bumoto sa akin, at siyempre sa PBA sa another opportunity na makapaglaro sa All-Star.”
