JUNE Mar Fajardo exactly knows to look back to where he came from.
As he continued to rewrite the PBA history book by winning a record eighth MVP award, the 6-foot-10 franchise player of San Miguel Beer gave tribute to two legends whom he referred to as the barometer of greatness in Asia's first ever play-for-pay league.
Fajardo said four-time MVPs Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio are the ones who paved the way for him to become the most accomplished player in PBA history in terms of winning the league's highest individual award.
"Respect sa kanila kasi sila yung nag-set ng standard sa PBA. Kami nasunod lang kami sa yapak nila," he said of 'El Presidente' and 'Cap' shortly after being hailed as MVP of Season 48.
Along with Fajardo, the now retired Fernandez, 70, and Patrimonio, 57, were the only players to win the MVP award four times.
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Fernandez, who still holds a number of all-time major statistical records in the league even 30 years after his retirement, was the best in the league back in 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1988.
He also owns a total of 19 championships won with Toyota, Tanduay, and San Miguel, where he won a grand slam in 1989.
Patrimonio meanwhile, was hailed MVP in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1997, while winning six championships with the Purefoods franchise, where he spent his entire career playing.
The combined MVPs won by both Fernandez and Patrimonio have now been equaled by Fajardo alone.
"Masaya ako sa na-achieve ko. Pero sila Papa Mon naman tsaka si Sir Alvin, iba naman sila. Sila talaga yung barometer sa MVP," said the 34-year-old product of University of Cebu.
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The way 'The Kraken' has been playing though, it wouldn't be a surprise if a ninth MVP remains a forthcoming.(RG)
