MANILA, Philippines — When it rains, it definitely pours for San Miguel Beer star center June Mar Fajardo.
The 6-foot-10 SMB strongman booked his 12th league title and became the recipient of a new record fifth PBA Finals Most Valuable Player award, now named after cage legend and his former mentor Ramon Fernandez.
But on Sunday night, just before the Beermen crowned themselves back-to-back PBA Philippine Cup champions, the 36-year-old Fajardo moved up to third overall in the PBA’s all-time rebounding leaders when he pulled down his 7,035th rebound early in the final period of Sunday’s Game 6 against TNT.
His efforts enabled him to surpass PBA legend Jerry Codinera, as Fajardo now occupies the third overall spot.
Fernandez lords it over the field with 8,652, a feat he accomplished in his distinguished 20-season career. Abet Guidaben, who had numerous battles with Fernandez during the first two decades of the pro league, is at no. 2 overall with 8,570.
Fajardo now has 7,040 rebounds in total after the Philippine Cup championship.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo, ever humble, took the time to thank God, his teammates, the coaching staff and management for their all-out support that allowed him to accomplish all these in a PBA career that began when the Beermen selected him first overall in the 2012 rookie draft.
“It’s really an honor to win this championship, then the Finals MVP and Don Ramon was here to hand over this Finals MVP (award),” Fajardo said in Filipino, during his brief speech after winning an unprecedented fifth top individual Finals MVP, moving him past Danny Seigle, LA Tenorio, and James Yap, who all won four.
San Miguel closed out its Philippine Cup Finals series, 4-2 against TNT following its 92-77 win in Game 6 on Sunday.