I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2017 PBA season like it was yesterday—the electric atmosphere in arenas, the heated debates among fans, and that lingering question everyone kept asking: who would take home the most coveted individual honor? The MVP race that year wasn't just competitive; it felt historic, with multiple players putting up numbers that would typically guarantee them the award in any other season. But as we now know, June Mar Fajardo secured his fourth consecutive MVP title, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever grace the PBA hardcourt. What made his 2017 campaign truly legendary, though, wasn't just the stats—it was how he elevated his game when it mattered most, carrying the San Miguel Beermen through grueling matches while dealing with persistent injuries that would have sidelined lesser players.
Let me take you back to that season. Fajardo averaged 18.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game—numbers that sound impressive on paper but don't fully capture his dominance on both ends of the floor. I recall watching him during the Commissioner's Cup finals against TNT KaTropa, where he put up 28 points and 15 rebounds in Game 4 despite clearly favoring his knee. That's the thing about June Mar—his resilience separates him from other greats. He played through pain that would make most athletes sit out for weeks, and yet he maintained his efficiency, shooting over 58% from the field throughout the season. What often gets overlooked in MVP discussions is how a player's presence impacts their teammates' performance. With Fajardo anchoring the paint, the Beermen's perimeter players operated with more confidence, knowing they had the league's most reliable safety net behind them.
The 2017 season also stood out because of the extraordinary competition Fajardo faced. I've been covering Philippine basketball for over a decade, and I can't recall another year where at least three other players had legitimate MVP cases. Stanley Pringle was absolutely phenomenal for GlobalPort, putting up 21.2 points per game while shooting 42% from three-point territory. Then there was Jayson Castro, whose clutch performances for TNT made him a strong contender. But what ultimately sealed the MVP for Fajardo was his consistency in high-stakes situations and his team's success—San Miguel captured two championships that season, largely because of his heroics in the finals. I remember arguing with fellow journalists about whether Pringle's explosive scoring deserved more recognition, but in retrospect, the voters got it right. Individual numbers matter, but elevating your team to championships—that's what makes an MVP season legendary.
What fascinates me most about Fajardo's 2017 campaign is how he evolved beyond being just a dominant big man. Earlier in his career, critics would say he relied too heavily on his size advantage, but by 2017, he'd developed a sophisticated post game with footwork that reminded me of vintage NBA centers. His passing out of double-teams became sharper, and he started hitting those mid-range jumpers with surprising consistency. I particularly remember his performance against Rain or Shine in the Philippine Cup finals—26 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists in the clinching Game 6. Those assists might not seem like much, but for a center who typically faced constant double-teams, they demonstrated his growing basketball IQ and unselfishness.
The context of that MVP race becomes even more interesting when you consider the broader landscape of Philippine basketball. The good news is that, of course, the proud program from Mendiola is stepping up its game, too. While Fajardo was dominating the PBA, we were seeing increased competition from other development programs that would eventually produce the next generation of stars. This created a perfect storm where Fajardo wasn't just competing against his contemporaries—he was setting a standard for excellence that would push the entire league forward. I've always believed that great players make their competitors better, and Fajardo's 2017 season exemplified this principle. His dominance forced other teams to develop counterstrategies, which in turn raised the overall quality of play throughout the league.
Looking back, what made Fajardo's fourth MVP particularly special was the timing. Winning four straight awards in any professional league is nearly unheard of—it places him in rarefied air that even some international greats haven't reached. The physical and mental toll of maintaining that level of excellence across multiple seasons is staggering, yet he made it look effortless. I've had the privilege of speaking with him after games, and what strikes me isn't just his humility but his relentless work ethic. While other players might have been satisfied with one or two MVPs, Fajardo approached each season with the hunger of a rookie trying to prove himself. That mindset, combined with his unique physical gifts, created a perfect recipe for historic achievement.
As we move further from that 2017 season, I find myself appreciating Fajardo's accomplishment even more. In an era where basketball is becoming increasingly perimeter-oriented, he proved that a dominant big man could still control the game and earn the highest individual honors. His legacy extends beyond trophies and statistics—it's about how he inspired younger players and gave San Miguel fans countless unforgettable moments. The 2017 PBA MVP race wasn't just about who won; it was about witnessing greatness unfold over an entire season, and June Mar Fajardo delivered one of the most legendary campaigns in league history.
