June Mar Fajardo believes that Ramon Fernandez deserves every bit of honor now that the Finals MVP trophy has been named after the cage luminary.
“Dapat lang,” he offered during the Season 50 Philippine Cup pre-Finals press conference at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Cubao, Monday.
The PBA Press Corps announced last week that it will be handing the Ramon Fernandez Trophy to the Finals MVP winner starting in the upcoming title bout.
The hardware is named in honor of ‘El Presidente’ for his remarkable contributions that included 19 championships, the most by any player.
For those unfamiliar, the men and women covering the PBA beat have been giving out the Finals MVP plum since the 1996 All-Filipino Cup Finals.
It has been handed out 75 times from 1996 up to the league’s 49th season last year, with the most recent winner being Jericho Cruz after he played a major role in San Miguel’s conquest of TNT to reclaim the Philippine Cup crown.
From handing out plaques, the PBA Press Corps will soon be giving a trophy inspired by Fernandez, the appearance of which will be made public soon.
“Siya ‘yung barometer sa mga players. Siya yung nilu-look up namin. Deserve. Walang doubt,” said the league’s only nine-time MVP, who was mentored by the legend himself during his early years in the University of Cebu.
So, players from either the Tropang 5G or the Beermen will get to become its first-ever recipient, and that includes Fajardo himself, a winner of the Finals MVP for a total of four times, which is tied for most in PBA history.
But as usual, the 36-year-old slotman only has his eyes locked in on the ultimate prize: the championship, and nothing else.
“Championship ‘yung kukunin namin,” said Fajardo, who’s gunning for his 12th title.
“Bahala na sino manalo ng MVP. ‘Yung goal namin, championships.”
#WATCH: SIYA YUNG BAROMETER
June Mar Fajardo says that naming the Finals MVP award after Ramon Fernandez has been a long time coming 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times #PBA50 pic.twitter.com/PSlnhG3LFH
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) January 19, 2026
