MANILA, Philippines - From a fumbling baller who failed to make it past even inter-division level in high school play, Cebuano behemoth Junmar Fajardo has risen all the way to become a dominant force in the grandest stage of basketball in the land.
In his second year in pro play, Fajardo emerged the best of the best, capping his superb season with the biggest catch in the 2014 PBA Leo Awards – the Most Valuable Player award.
The PBA 39th Season yearend awards virtually became a “Junmar Fajardo show” with the 6-foot-10 SMB slotman scooping no less than four Leo Trophies.
He was also the hands-down choice as Most Improved Player and made both the Mythical First Team and the All-Defensive Team.
He shared his success with his alma mater University of Cebu and to a departed uncle now lying in state in their hometown Pinamungahan, Cebu.
“The spelling of my success won’t be complete without ‘UC.’ If I didn’t attend my school, I'm not sure where would be me right now. I’m sure I won’t be in the PBA and I won’t be where I stand right now,” said Fajardo.
“I was a walk-in hoping to make the UC team to get a scholarship. Fortunately, they got me and they helped me along the way. Big thanks to my coaches there,” added Fajardo, who learned the finer points of the game from former Alaska Milk gunner Rhoel Gomez.
Fajardo became only the second player from the Cebu collegiate play to win PBA MVP honors after Ramon Fernandez.
Another Cebuano behemoth Greg Slaughter was the runaway winner of the Rookie of the Year award over Ian Sangalang and Raymond Almazan.
“I dedicate this to my uncle Lito Dugho who died of lung cancer a few days ago. Even when he was already sick, he endured pain to watch me playing on TV. He’s my No. 1 fan, and my family owes him a lot gratitude,” Fajardo also said.
Fajardo handily beat Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Asi Taulava in the MVP race.
All four made it to the Mythical First Team with San Mig Coffee guard Mark Barroca.
The Mythical Second Team was composed of Paul Lee, PJ Simon, Slaughter, Marc Pingris and Sonny Thoss while the All-Defensive Team was made up of Pingris, Barroca, Fajardo, Gabe Norwood and Jireh Ibanes.
Rounding up the season’s achievers was former two-time MVP awardee Willie Miller as winner of the Sportsmanship Award.