I still remember that electric Sunday evening on July 6, 2018, when the Smart-Araneta Coliseum buzzed with anticipation. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous MVP ceremonies, but this particular night felt different. The air was thick with speculation - would it be June Mar Fajardo claiming his fifth straight MVP, or would Stanley Pringle's explosive season finally earn him the top individual honor?
Looking back at that season, what struck me most was how the MVP race reflected the evolving nature of Philippine basketball. The league had been transitioning toward a faster, more perimeter-oriented game, yet here was June Mar Fajardo - the traditional big man - dominating in ways we hadn't seen before. I recall thinking during the regular season that Fajardo's consistency bordered on robotic. Night after night, he'd put up numbers that seemed almost predetermined: 20.3 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. Those aren't just stats - they're statements. What many casual observers miss is how Fajardo's mere presence altered opposing teams' entire defensive schemes. I've spoken with coaches who admitted they'd rather face any other team than game plan against Fajardo's San Miguel Beermen.
The ceremony itself, starting at 7:30 p.m., had this beautiful tension building throughout the evening. Having attended several PBA awards nights before, I can tell you they usually follow predictable patterns, but this one felt different. When they finally announced Fajardo's name, the roar from the crowd wasn't just applause - it was historical recognition. Winning five consecutive MVPs wasn't just breaking records; it was redefining what we considered possible in Philippine basketball. I remember turning to my colleague and saying, "We're witnessing greatness that might not be matched in our lifetime."
What often gets overlooked in discussions about Fajardo's 2018 MVP is how he evolved his game that season. While he remained dominant in the paint, he'd subtly improved his passing and defensive positioning. I noticed he was reading double teams better than ever, often finding open shooters with precision passes that stats don't fully capture. His player efficiency rating of 28.7 that season remains, in my opinion, one of the most impressive metrics in PBA history.
The voting breakdown revealed something fascinating - Fajardo received 2,363 points from the media, players, and the PBA office, which was roughly 400 points more than the second-place finisher. Some critics argued that MVP voting had become too predictable, but having covered the league extensively, I believe Fajardo earned every single vote. His impact transcended statistics - he was the cornerstone of San Miguel's championship culture.
Reflecting on that night at Smart-Araneta Coliseum, what stands out most isn't just the achievement itself, but what it represented for Philippine basketball. In an era where flashy guards and three-point shooting were gaining prominence, Fajardo reminded us that fundamental big man play still mattered. His 2018 MVP season wasn't just about maintaining excellence - it was about elevating it. As I left the coliseum that night, I realized we hadn't just witnessed another awards ceremony; we'd seen a living legend cement his place in basketball history. Five straight MVPs - let that sink in. I doubt we'll see anything like it again.
