Fernandez Trophy introduced

MANILA, Philippines — MVP award in the PBA wars will be receiving the “Ramon Fernandez Trophy.”

This as the PBA Press Corps, the media group handing out the said award, decided to introduce a new trophy named after the legendary Fernandez, the league’s winningest player of all time with 19 championships.

The “Ramon Fernandez Trophy” will be first awarded to the best performer of the coming Season 50 Philippine Cup finale.

Four-time MVP Fernandez said it’s an honor to serve as the face and symbol of the Finals MVP.

“To have the PBA Finals MVP trophy bear my name, especially in this 50th year, the Golden Anniversary of the Philippine Basketball Association, is something I never imagined yet will forever treasure,” said the four-time MVP, who readily gave his approval when the PBAPC led by Vladimir Eduarte of Abante proposed the idea.

“This is more than a personal recognition. It is a reminder of a lifetime shaped by the league that gave me purpose, pride and a second family,” he added.

Fernandez, who is also the PBA’s all-time leading scorer with 18,996 points, won nine titles with the fabled Toyota franchise before adding three more for Tanduay and seven for San Miguel Beer, including a rare Grand Slam in 1989.

“The PBA was my battlefield, my classroom and my home. It was where I learned discipline, sacrifice, resilience, teamwork, humility and the meaning of leadership under pressure,” he said.

“Every championship fought for, every Finals series endured, every cheer and every criticism...all of it molded the player and the man I became. I owe so much of who I am today to this league.”