Who Was Crowned the 2018 PBA MVP and How Did They Achieve This Honor?
Let me take you back to that electric 2018 PBA season - what a time to be a basketball fan in the Philippines. I still remember the buzz building throughout the year, with multiple players making strong cases for the Most Valuable Player award. The competition was fierce, but one name kept rising to the top: June Mar Fajardo. When the final announcement came, it wasn't really a surprise to those of us who'd been tracking his performance all season, though some might argue there were other worthy contenders.
What made Fajardo's 2018 MVP season particularly remarkable was how he dominated despite facing constant double-teams and specialized defensive schemes designed specifically to stop him. I've watched countless big men come through the PBA, but Fajardo's combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ was something special. He averaged 21.9 points and 12.8 rebounds that season - numbers that don't fully capture his impact on both ends of the floor. His mere presence on the court forced opponents to completely reshape their defensive strategies, opening up opportunities for his teammates in ways that statistics can't adequately measure.
The championship run that season perfectly illustrated why Fajardo deserved the MVP honor. I recall watching that intense semifinal series between TNT and Rain or Shine, where Coach Chot Reyes made that now-famous comment about his team's refusal to quit leading them to an overtime victory in Game 2. That mentality - that relentless determination - was exactly what characterized Fajardo's entire season. While Reyes was talking about his Tropang Giga, the same could be said about Fajardo's approach to every single game. He played through injuries, fought through constant defensive pressure, and consistently delivered when his team needed him most.
What many casual observers might not realize is how much work happens behind the scenes to reach that MVP level. I've had the opportunity to speak with several PBA players over the years, and the stories about Fajardo's work ethic are almost legendary within basketball circles. His daily routine included hours of individual skill work before team practices even began. That commitment to continuous improvement separated him from other talented players. He didn't just rely on his natural physical gifts - though standing 6'10" certainly didn't hurt his cause - but constantly worked to expand his offensive repertoire and refine his defensive positioning.
The voting results ultimately confirmed what many of us suspected throughout the season. Fajardo collected 2,363 points in the MVP race, comfortably ahead of his closest competitors. While some critics argued that his size alone gave him an unfair advantage, those of us who understand basketball at this level recognize that many physically gifted players have come through the league without achieving what Fajardo accomplished. His footwork in the post, his developing mid-range game, and his improved passing out of double-teams demonstrated a player who was constantly evolving.
Looking back, what impressed me most about that 2018 season was how Fajardo elevated his game during crucial moments. Statistics show he averaged 24.3 points in elimination games, demonstrating his ability to perform when the pressure mounted. This clutch performance factor often separates MVP candidates from the actual winner. I've always believed that true greatness in basketball isn't just about putting up numbers in blowout games, but about delivering when everything is on the line. Fajardo understood this instinctively, and his performance in critical games likely swayed many of the voters who were on the fence.
The context of that season's MVP race makes Fajardo's achievement even more significant. He was facing stiff competition from several emerging stars who were having career years. Yet through consistent excellence and leadership, he maintained his position at the top of Philippine basketball. His San Miguel Beermen finished with a 9-2 record in the elimination round of the Philippine Cup, providing the team success component that MVP voters traditionally value highly. In my analysis of MVP races across different seasons, I've noticed that individual statistics alone rarely secure the award - team success remains a crucial factor, and Fajardo delivered on both fronts.
Reflecting on that 2018 season now, I'm even more convinced that Fajardo's MVP was well-deserved. Some awards become questionable with the benefit of hindsight, but this one has only grown more impressive as we've seen how difficult it is to maintain that level of excellence year after year. The work ethic, the basketball intelligence, the physical dominance - it all came together in a perfect storm that made him the clear choice. While other players had flashier moments or more highlight-reel plays, Fajardo's sustained excellence throughout the entire season made him the rightful MVP. That's the thing about true greatness in sports - it's not about occasional brilliance, but about showing up game after game, quarter after quarter, possession after possession. And that's exactly what June Mar Fajardo did throughout that memorable 2018 PBA season.
