San Miguel Beer's June Mar Fajardo continued to make history as he won a new record sixth Most Valuable Player award in the PBA.
He also made a first in the way he accepted the coveted plum, wheeling his way into Smart Araneta Coliseum court in the highlight moment of Sunday's PBA Leo Awards.
Fajardo, of course, is currently recovering from a fractured shin, forcing him to attend the rites riding a mobility scooter.
"Sana hindi kayo magsawa sa akin dito, sana next year ulit," he said to open his acceptance speech to cheers and applause from an appreciate crowd.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo will miss out the action in the Philippine Cup, where the five-peat champ Beermen will be hardpressed to defend the crown jewel of the PBA.
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"Malungkot na na-injured ako ngayon pero still, thankful pa rin ako kay God sa nangyari. May plano si God para sa akin, kailangan maging positive lagi," said the Cebuano superstar, who garnered a total of 3,140 points coming from statistical points, media votes, players' votes and PBA votes to get MVP No. 6.
The latest feat put Fajardo two trophies ahead of legends and four-time winners Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio in the all-time list.
Fajardo towed TNT's Jayson Castro, Columbian Dyip's rookie sensation CJ Perez, and NorthPort's Christian Standhardinger and Sean Anthony in the Mythical First Team.
TNT's RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario, Ginebra's Stanley Pringle and Japeth Aguilar, and Magnolia's Ian Sangalang made it to the Mythical Second Team.
The MVP also led the All-Defensive Team with Anthony, Aguilar, SMB teammate Chris Ross and Perez completing the cast.
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Perez, who had a stellar freshman season and emerged as the league's scoring champion in 2019, took home Rookie of the Year honors while San Miguel's Mo Tautuaa netted the Most Improved Player plum. Rain or Shine's Gabe Norwood was accorded the Sportsmanship Award.
Fajardo received the award sitting on his scooter with parents Bonifacio and Marites standing on either side.
He took the opportunity to share how influential they were in his basketball journey.
"Hindi ako nahihiya sabihin na galing ako sa hirap kaya ako nagpursigi. Gusto ko sila mabigyan ng magandang buhay, gusto ko feeling secured sila na wala na silang iisipin, hindi nila iisipin saan kukuha ng pambayad ng kuryente at tubig," he said. (OL)
