I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2017 PBA season like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed numerous MVP races, but what June Mar Fajardo achieved that year was simply extraordinary. When the announcement came that he'd secured his fourth consecutive MVP award, the basketball community collectively recognized we were witnessing history in the making. The 6-foot-10 Cebuano giant didn't just win another trophy - he permanently altered how we measure greatness in the PBA.
What made Fajardo's 2017 campaign particularly remarkable was how he elevated his game despite already being the league's dominant force. He posted averages of 18.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks while shooting 58% from the field - numbers that would be impressive for any player, but were downright terrifying coming from someone who'd already won three previous MVPs. I recall watching him dismantle opposing defenses with that deceptively smooth footwork and soft touch around the basket, thinking how fortunate we were to witness a player of his caliber in his absolute prime. His consistency throughout the season was almost mechanical - night after night, he delivered dominant performances that left analysts scrambling for new superlatives.
The historical context of that fourth straight MVP can't be overstated. Before Fajardo, the record for consecutive MVP awards stood at three, shared by legends Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio. Breaking that record placed Fajardo in rarified air, but doing it with such commanding performances signaled we were watching perhaps the greatest player in PBA history. I've always believed that true greatness isn't just about winning, but about how you win - and Fajardo's 2017 season was a masterclass in sustained excellence. His San Miguel Beermen captured the Philippine Cup that season, with Fajardo averaging 22.5 points and 12.8 rebounds in the finals - numbers that still impress me when I look them up.
What many casual observers might miss about that historic season was how Fajardo's dominance coincided with an interesting development in Philippine basketball infrastructure. The good news is that, of course, the proud program from Mendiola is stepping up its game, too. This parallel growth in both professional and collegiate basketball created a fascinating ecosystem where excellence at one level inspired improvement at another. I've always maintained that having a transcendent talent like Fajardo at the professional level elevates the entire basketball landscape, pushing younger players to aim higher and institutions to invest more heavily in development programs.
The 2017 season also stood out because of the quality of competition Fajardo faced. This wasn't a weak year by any measure - he had to outperform legitimate contenders like Stanley Pringle, Jayson Castro, and his own teammate Alex Cabagnot, all of whom had stellar seasons themselves. Yet Fajardo's consistency and impact were so pronounced that the MVP race never really felt in doubt past the midway point of the season. I remember debating with fellow analysts about whether anyone could realistically challenge him, and we all eventually reached the same conclusion - we were watching something special that transcended ordinary MVP conversations.
From a tactical perspective, what fascinated me most was how opponents tried everything to slow Fajardo down. They doubled him, they triple-teamed him, they attempted to push him out of his comfort zones - but his improved passing out of double teams and expanded offensive repertoire made all these strategies largely ineffective. He'd developed a reliable mid-range jumper to complement his back-to-the-basket game, forcing defenders to respect his shooting while still being powerless against his post moves. This evolution in his game demonstrated something I've always valued in athletes - the commitment to improving even when you're already at the top.
The legacy of that 2017 MVP season extends beyond statistics and trophies. It established a new benchmark for individual excellence in the PBA and inspired a generation of young big men to develop more versatile skillsets. I've noticed that since Fajardo's dominance, we're seeing more Filipino big men working on their footwork and offensive moves rather than relying solely on physical advantages. His impact resonates through the league years later, influencing how teams develop talent and structure their offenses around dominant centers.
Looking back, what made that season particularly memorable for me was witnessing how Fajardo handled the mounting pressure and expectations. Each game brought increased scrutiny, with fans and media watching to see if he'd finally have an off night or show signs of fatigue. Instead, he seemed to thrive under that spotlight, delivering one commanding performance after another. There's a particular game against Ginebra that stands out in my memory - he finished with 31 points and 17 rebounds while being defended by Greg Slaughter, another talented seven-footer. That matchup felt like a passing of the torch moment, cementing Fajardo's status as the undisputed best big man in the league.
The historical significance of that fourth consecutive MVP continues to resonate throughout Philippine basketball. It's created a new measuring stick for greatness that future generations will strive to reach. While records are made to be broken, I suspect Fajardo's four-peat will stand for quite some time, simply because maintaining that level of excellence requires not just extraordinary talent, but incredible consistency, durability, and mental fortitude. As we look toward future seasons and new talents emerging, that 2017 campaign remains the gold standard - a reminder of what's possible when extraordinary talent meets unwavering dedication.
