11 for Kraken: Fajardo nails PBA Best Player award in Governors’ Cup

MANILA, Philippines – The Best Player of the Conference plums just keep coming for June Mar Fajardo.

Fajardo won the award for a record-extending 11th time on Sunday, November 3, after a dominant campaign in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Although San Miguel missed the finals after being eliminated by Barangay Ginebra, the 6-foot-10 big man remained an unstoppable force as he beat out the likes of Gin Kings stars Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson for the honor.

Fajardo ruled the statistical points (SPs) battle with an average of 44.8 SPs after ranking second among all locals in scoring with 21.0 points and topping the league in rebounding — including imports — with 16.3 boards.

Also the leader among locals in field goal percentage as he shot a healthy 64.2% from the field, Fajardo provided stability for a Beermen side that switched imports thrice.

It marked only the second time Fajardo won BPC in the Governors’ Cup and the first time he clinched the award in back-to-back conferences since he did it in the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup of the 2017-2018 season.

Meanwhile, Aguilar fell short of a breakthrough BPC trophy in a conference where he shouldered a heavier load for Ginebra following the departure of former frontcourt partner and two-time BPC Christian Standhardinger.

Now 37 years old, Aguilar showed he is still one of the best players in the league, churning out an average of 32.2 SPs on the back of 18.0 points and 6.1 rebounds in helping Ginebra return to the finals.

Also norming 32.2 SPs like Aguilar, Thompson finished third in the BPC race after putting up 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.2 steals.

NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino (37.5 SPs), NLEX’s Robert Bolick (35.9 SPs), and San Miguel’s CJ Perez (33.9 SPs) were also considered for the BPC plum. – Rappler.com