PASAY CITY — In a historic moment for Philippine basketball, June Mar Fajardo steered San Miguel Beer to its second consecutive PBA Philippine Cup title and cemented his legacy as the most decorated Finals MVP in league history. Following SMB’s clinching victory on Sunday, February 8, 2026, the Pinamungajan native dedicated his latest milestone to his fellow Cebuanos, urging aspiring provincial players to dream big and work hard.
A Night of Cebuano Excellence The culmination of the All-Filipino conference served as a tribute to the basketball heritage of Cebu:
- Historic Honor: This year, the Finals MVP award was officially renamed the Ramon Fernandez Trophy, in honor of the legendary “El Presidente.”
- The Handover: In a symbolic passing of the torch, Ramon Fernandez personally presented the trophy to Fajardo. Before announcing the winner, Fernandez addressed the crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena in Cebuano, calling Fajardo “Ang akong silingan sa Cebu” (My neighbor in Cebu).
- New Record: Fajardo became the first-ever recipient of the renamed trophy and set a new PBA record by winning his fifth Finals MVP award.
Performance Highlights Fajardo’s dominant performance in Game 6 left no doubt about his selection:
- Double-Double Mastery: He recorded a conference-high 29 points and 23 rebounds to secure the championship.
- Conference Honors: Prior to the finals, Fajardo was also named the Best Player of the Conference (BPC), further solidifying his status as the premier big man in the league.
Inspiring the Next Generation Despite his numerous accolades, Fajardo remains grounded in his roots. During the post-game celebration, he shared a message of hope for young players outside Metro Manila:
- Provincial Pride: “This is for the Cebuanos. There are a lot of Cebuanos who dream of coming to the PBA. I hope we inspire them,” he said.
- Hard Work and Dreams: “I came from the province myself. I know how many players want to reach this level… Having a dream is free, and if you add hard work into that, nothing’s impossible.”
For Fajardo, receiving a trophy named after his fellow Cebuano icon was more than just a statistical achievement; he described it as one of the ultimate highlights of his career. As San Miguel Beer continues its reign, Fajardo’s journey from a small town in Cebu to the pinnacle of the PBA remains a powerful blueprint for provincial athletes across the nation.