June Mar Fajardo pays tribute to parents after winning 5th MVP plum

June Mar Fajardo has rewritten the PBA history books yet again.

The current face of the storied San Miguel Beermen franchise has won his unprecedented fifth straight Most Valuable Player award in the 43rd Leo Awards, Sunday evening at the historic Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Fajardo, who’s just 29 years old, now has the most number of MVP awards in league history, surpassing the four trophies that all-time greats Alvin Patrimonio and Ramon Fernandez during their illustrious careers.

The 6-foot-10 center defeated NorthPort Batang Pier’s main man Stanley Pringle; Magnolia Hotshots’ Paul Lee; and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel forward Japeth Aguilar, who are all his teammates in Gilas Pilipinas.

But that doesn’t mean Fajardo is looking to rest on his laurels.

“Sana hindi pa ito yung last,” said Fajardo, the Petron Blaze Boosters’ first overall pick of the 2012 Rookie Draft, during his acceptance speech. “Gagawin ko lahat. Gusto ko lang naman mag-improve eh.

“Ayoko maging stagnant.”

Fajardo couldn’t be grateful enough in winning the highest individual award, for everything from his Beermen family to his ever-supportive parents, who were also at the Philippine Arena to witness their son create history.

Fajardo even invited his parents to center stage, and thanked them for always being there for him.

“Sila yung dahilan kung bakit ako lumaki,” he quipped. “‘Di man sila lumaki, ‘di naman sila nagkamali na palakihin ako at ang kapatid ko. Thankful kami sa parents ko kasi kahit mahirap lang kami, ‘di nila kami pinabayaan.

“Dahil sa kanila, nandito ako.”