Fajardo bags 8th MVP plum

MANILA, Philippines — Eight Most Valuable Player awards and counting, San Miguel Beer behemoth June Mar Fajardo easily makes everyone’s list as the GOAT of the PBA.

But the gentle giant, ever humble, insists he’s far from being the Alpha Player throughout the 49-year history of Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

“Siyempre masaya ako na mapabilang doon (GOAT conversations) pero sa tingin ko malayo pa ako doon. Sobrang daming deserving na tawaging GOAT ng PBA,” he said after being adjudged the best individual performer of Season 48 yesterday.

Fajardo’s eight doubled the four MVP trophies each of legends Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio, who were the gold standard before the “Kraken” took the league by storm in 2013.

For the 6-foot-10 Fajardo, the championships won should be the main barometer for determining the greatest lists.

“Si Papa Mon (Fernandez) lang ang dami niyang championship, 19 yata, ako 10 pa lang. So ang layo ko pa sa kanya…Sobrang daming deserving tawaging GOATs at masaya na ako ma-me-mention,” he said.

Can he surpass “El Presidente” in titles won?

“Ang daming championship, ang dami kong hahabulin pero masaya ako sa achievement ko ngayon,” he said.

Fajardo took centerstage in the Leo Awards as MVP anew after piling up 2,799 points on statistics and players and media votes and beating teammate CJ Perez (1,951) and Terrafirma’s Christian Standhardinger (1,731) for top honors.

The 34-year-old titan went home with two other trophies as part of the Mythical 5 and All-Defensive Team.

Perez, Standhardinger, NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino and Meralco’s Chris Newsome joined JMF in the First Mythical Team while Meralco’s Cliff Hodge, Terrafirma’s Kemark Carino, NorthPort’s Joshua Munzon and Newsome accompanied Fajardo in the Defensive Squad.

Hodge, TNT’s Calvin Oftana, Phoenix’ Jason Perkins, Ginebra’s Stephen Holt and Terrafirma’s Juami Tiongson earned Second Mythical team honors.

Holt ran away with the Rookie of the Year honors while Rain or Shine’s Jhonard Clarito was adjudged Most Improved Player and NorthPort’s Paul Zamar was feted with the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship award.