June Mar Lets Go of His First MVP Trophy, All for a Bigger Cause

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by Raymund Tamayo

Nine-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo.
Nine-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo. Photo: Inquirer Sports.

In a move that speaks louder than any stat line or championship run, June Mar Fajardo is giving up one of the most meaningful keepsakes of his legendary career, all to help Filipinos rebuilding their lives after back-to-back typhoons.

The San Miguel cornerstone, now 35 and firmly cemented as the most decorated MVP in PBA history, has chosen to put his very first MVP trophy on the auction block. The initiative is part of TV5’s Alagang Kapatid Foundation’s ongoing relief efforts, with Fajardo personally taking the lead.

For someone who has lifted nine MVP plums, an achievement that may never be matched, this isn’t just another piece of hardware. This is the trophy that started it all. The one that first validated years of sweat, sacrifice, and the slow climb from raw project to franchise cornerstone.

“Hindi basta trophy ito. Parte talaga ng buhay ko,” Fajardo said, acknowledging how much emotional weight the 2014 MVP carries. “Lahat ng pinagdaanan ko nandiyan, hirap, pawis, dugo.”

June Mar Fajardo (15).
June Mar Fajardo (15). Photo: PBA Images.

And yet, when called to help his countrymen, especially his fellow Cebuanos heavily affected by Typhoon Tino, The Kraken didn’t hesitate. He knows this trophy means something to fans, to collectors, and to everyone who watched his rise. If letting it go can spark meaningful aid, the decision becomes bigger than basketball.

That first MVP award, together with signed memorabilia from several PBA standouts, will go under the hammer in a special live auction on Friday, November 14, as part of the Tulong Mga Kapatid Bayanihan Drive. Every peso raised will go straight to families trying to recover from both Typhoon Tino and Supertyphoon Uwan.

It’s rare to see a superstar voluntarily part ways with something so personal. Most players keep their first major award tucked safely in a cabinet forever. But Fajardo has always been cut from a different cloth, soft-spoken, team-first, and quietly aware of the responsibility that comes with being the face of Philippine basketball for over a decade.

In moments like these, you’re reminded that greatness isn’t measured only by titles, records, or highlight reels. Sometimes, it’s measured by generosity, by choosing to lift people up when the lights are off and the cameras aren’t rolling.

Once again, June Mar Fajardo shows why he’s more than just the PBA’s most dominant big man. He’s also its heart.