Fajardo IX

Photo: OneSports.ph

Fifty years from now, long after our generation has crossed that golden bridge in the sky, and if the PBA still thrives, people will speak of the legend of one man who ruled Philippine basketball for what now feels like two decades. 

He dominated so completely that most teams eventually abandoned the concept of low-post basketball — which was still effective domestically — in favor of faster, perimeter-oriented play built on fast breaks and threes, just to stand a chance.

And yet, there he stood: tall, strong, and unshakable. A quiet and humble giant with a dominating presence. That man is the newly minted 9-time PBA MVP, Junemar Fajardo of the San Miguel Beermen. He owns 11 championships in 13 years (as of today) — and could easily have had more if not for injuries or brief coaching missteps that shifted the team’s direction for a season or two.

We may never see another player match Fajardo’s mastery of the low post. Not in this era of 6’10” to 7’0” players like Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown, all leaning into the modern, face-up style of play. There may be challengers to his throne, but will we ever see another player win nine MVPs in 13 years? It’s hard to imagine.

We’ve seen giants before — perhaps just as talented, perhaps as dominant — from Asi Taulava to Marlou Aquino, this blog’s very namesake. But none have had a run quite like Fajardo. In all his 13 PBA seasons, he’s been a double-double machine — always a threat, even when not the focal point of the offense. You would never catch him on “cruise control.” He goes to work every possession: sealing his man deep, setting bone-crushing screens, doing whatever it takes to win.

He could be the alpha. He could be the omega. Or he could simply be the decoy.

Whatever role is asked of him — he does it, if it means a shot at another title.

And that’s what makes him legendary.

Now at 35, we’re beginning to see time catch up. Not that he was ever fleet-footed, but the signs are there. Fast-paced offenses with smaller, quicker bigs are finding ways to exploit him in the pick-and-roll and in switches. Slowly but surely, his defense is being tested.

But isn’t that how most basketball stories go? As age sets in, the body fades but the mind sharpens. The touch, the jumper, the reads — they age like fine wine. Experience takes over. And yet, Father Time remains undefeated. Still, until that day comes, Junemar Fajardo remains the standard.

A 9-time MVP — and counting.

And I’ll be the first to say it: I truly believe he’ll reach 10 (or more) before it’s all said and done.