SAN MIGUEL Beermen star June Mar Fajardo once again asserted his dominance in the PBA, winning a record-extending ninth Most Valuable Player (MVP) award during the Leo Awards held Sunday, October 5, at Novotel Manila.

The 6-foot-10 Cebuano center earned the league’s top individual honor after leading the Beermen to the Philippine Cup championship and capturing two Best Player of the Conference titles.

Fajardo topped the PBA in statistical points (SPs) with 42.1, built on averages of 19.2 points, 15.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 block per game—outperforming fellow MVP contenders Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort and Robert Bolick of NLEX.

This marks Fajardo’s third consecutive MVP award since his comeback from a career-threatening shin injury in 2020, which ended his earlier six-year MVP streak from 2014 to 2019.

By clinching the MVP, Fajardo also earned his 10th First Mythical Team selection, joining PBA legends Ramon Fernandez (13), Alvin Patrimonio (10), and Arwind Santos (10) among the all-time greats.

Joining him in the First Mythical Team were Tolentino, Bolick, fellow San Miguel standout CJ Perez, and Calvin Oftana of TNT. Oftana earned his first inclusion after helping TNT reach the All-Filipino Cup Finals.

The Second Mythical Team featured Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra, Roger Pogoy of TNT, Zavier Lucero of Magnolia, and Justin Arana of Converge.

Fajardo also headlined the All-Defensive Team, joined by Lucero, Stephen Holt (Ginebra), Glenn Khobuntin (TNT), and Joshua Munzon (NorthPort).

Ginebra capped the night with another highlight as RJ Abarrientos bagged the Rookie of the Year award. The young guard averaged 12.7 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds, playing a crucial role in helping the Gin Kings reach the finals in the first two conferences. He bested Caelan Tiongson (Rain or Shine), Kai Balunggay (Phoenix), and Sedrick Barefield (Blackwater) for the honor.

With his ninth MVP, Fajardo further cements his status as the most decorated player in PBA history, proving that even after a decade of dominance, “The Kraken” remains the league’s ultimate force.