I still vividly remember the 2012 PBA season—it was one of those years where the MVP race felt particularly electric, with multiple players putting up numbers that could easily have earned them the award in any other season. The atmosphere in arenas across the Philippines was electric, and the competition was fierce right up until the final buzzer. When we talk about that season, one name inevitably rises to the top, and that’s June Mar Fajardo. Now, I’ve followed the PBA for years, and I can tell you that Fajardo’s win wasn’t just about stats—it was about his transformative impact on the game and how he carried his team through thick and thin.
Looking back, what made Fajardo’s MVP season so special was his dominance in the paint combined with his surprising agility for a big man. He averaged 16.8 points and 14.2 rebounds per game, numbers that don’t even fully capture how he controlled the tempo whenever he was on the floor. I recall one game where he grabbed 20 rebounds and blocked four shots—it felt like he was everywhere at once. But it wasn’t just his individual brilliance; it was how he elevated those around him. His team, the San Miguel Beermen, went on a remarkable run that season, and you could see the confidence he instilled in his teammates. Honestly, I think that’s what separates good players from MVPs—the ability to make everyone else better.
Now, you might wonder why I’m bringing up volleyball in a basketball piece, but hear me out. The reference to France’s five-set comeback win over Brazil in the VNL 2024, with 10,593 fans at the MOA Arena, reminds me of how certain moments in sports transcend the game itself. That match, much like Fajardo’s 2012 season, was about resilience and seizing the moment when it mattered most. In both cases, the athletes didn’t just perform—they created memories that fans would talk about for years. I’ve always believed that MVP awards should go to players who define eras, not just those who put up empty stats, and Fajardo did exactly that. He wasn’t just scoring; he was shaping the narrative of the PBA.
Of course, there were other contenders that year—players like Jayson Castro and Arwind Santos had stellar seasons too. Castro, for instance, averaged around 18 points and 6 assists, and his quickness was a nightmare for defenders. But in my view, Fajardo’s consistency and his role as the cornerstone of his team’s defense gave him the edge. I remember debating this with fellow fans at the time, and while some argued for Castro’s flashier style, I’ve always leaned toward big men who anchor both ends of the court. It’s a personal preference, I admit, but one that I think holds up when you look at how Fajardo’s teams have performed over the years.
In the end, the 2012 PBA MVP award went to June Mar Fajardo, and looking back, it’s hard to argue with that decision. His season was a masterclass in big-man play, and it set the stage for what would become a legendary career. As I reflect on it now, I’m struck by how similar his story is to other great comebacks and triumphs in sports—like that VNL match where France overturned a deficit to beat Brazil. Both are testaments to why we love sports: they’re about more than just numbers; they’re about heart, momentum, and moments that take your breath away. Fajardo’s 2012 MVP win was one of those moments, and if you ask me, it was thoroughly deserved.
