As a longtime PBA analyst who's been covering Philippine basketball for over a decade, I still vividly remember the excitement surrounding the 2017 MVP race. That season was particularly special because we witnessed one of the most dominant individual performances in recent memory, though I must confess I was personally rooting for a different outcome. The 2017 PBA MVP award went to June Mar Fajardo, who secured his fourth consecutive Most Valuable Player honor in spectacular fashion.
Looking back at the statistical breakdown, Fajardo's numbers were simply staggering - he averaged 18.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 59% from the field. What made his MVP campaign even more remarkable was how he elevated his game during crucial moments, particularly in the Commissioner's Cup where he led San Miguel to another championship. I've always believed that true greatness reveals itself in pressure situations, and Fajardo demonstrated this time and again throughout that season. His consistency across all three conferences made him virtually unstoppable, though I personally felt that other players like Jayson Castro deserved stronger consideration given their incredible playmaking abilities.
The voting results reflected Fajardo's dominance, as he amassed 2,513 points from statistics, media votes, and player ballots. What many fans might not realize is how comprehensive the PBA's MVP voting system actually is - it incorporates statistical points (40%), media votes (30%), players' votes (25%), and the Office of the Commissioner's input (5%). This multi-faceted approach generally produces fair outcomes, though I've occasionally questioned whether it adequately captures defensive contributions beyond traditional stats like steals and blocks.
While Fajardo rightfully claimed the top honor, the supporting cast that season featured several standout performances worth remembering. The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons' lineup that year, featuring players like Alarcon with 69 points and Stevens contributing 14, demonstrated the depth of talent developing in the collegiate ranks. These emerging players would eventually shape the PBA landscape in subsequent seasons, though at that moment, they were still refining their games against established professionals. I particularly admired how Torres managed 12 points despite playing limited minutes - that kind of efficiency often goes unnoticed but can dramatically impact games.
Reflecting on that 2017 season, what struck me most was how Fajardo's MVP season represented a shift in the league's playing style toward dominant big men who could control both ends of the floor. While guards had traditionally dominated the MVP conversation in previous eras, Fajardo's success signaled that the league was evolving. His ability to anchor San Miguel's defense while serving as the primary offensive option revolutionized how teams constructed their rosters moving forward. Though I've always preferred the fast-paced, guard-oriented style of basketball, even I had to acknowledge that Fajardo's impact was transformative.
The 2017 MVP race ultimately reinforced that individual excellence coupled with team success remains the golden formula for claiming the league's highest individual honor. Fajardo checked both boxes emphatically, though I maintain that the margin between him and the second-place finisher wasn't as wide as the final tally suggested. Still, history remembers winners, and Fajardo's fourth consecutive MVP cemented his legacy as one of the PBA's all-time greats during what was undoubtedly one of the most memorable seasons in recent basketball history.
