I still remember watching that 2017 PBA season unfold, and let me tell you, something special was brewing from the very beginning. The MVP race that year wasn't just competitive - it felt historic, like we were witnessing the making of a legend. When June Mar Fajardo ultimately claimed his fourth consecutive MVP award, it wasn't just expected; it felt earned in a way that few sporting achievements ever do. What made this particular season so remarkable wasn't just the statistics, though those were impressive enough - it was how he completely dominated the league while making it look effortless.
Looking back at Fajardo's 2017 campaign, the numbers still jump off the page even years later. He averaged 18.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting an incredible 65% from the field. Those aren't just good numbers - they're video game numbers, the kind you'd create in a custom player mode. But what truly set him apart was his consistency. Night after night, you could pencil in a double-double before the game even started, and he'd still find ways to exceed expectations. I've covered basketball for over fifteen years now, and I've never seen a player so reliably excellent while maintaining such humble professionalism.
The context of that season makes Fajardo's achievement even more impressive. The PBA was stacked with talent - players like Jayson Castro, Stanley Pringle, and Alex Cabagnot were all having career years. Yet Fajardo stood above them all, not through flashy plays or dramatic moments, but through fundamental basketball executed at the highest level imaginable. His footwork in the post became the stuff of coaching clinics, and his ability to read double-teams felt almost psychic at times. I remember talking to coaches who would just shake their heads when asked how to defend him - they'd tried everything, and nothing worked consistently.
What made Fajardo's game so beautiful to watch was its simplicity. In an era where everyone wants to shoot threes and make highlight reels, he mastered the art of the low post game with a dedication that felt almost old-fashioned. His signature moves weren't fancy, but they were unstoppable because he executed them with perfect timing and overwhelming physical presence. Standing at 6'10" with incredible strength, he could have relied purely on his physical gifts, but instead he combined them with technical skills that kept improving year after year.
The championship success he brought to San Miguel Beer during that season can't be overlooked either. While individual awards are nice, Fajardo always prioritized team success, and his leadership on and off the court transformed the Beermen into a dynasty. They won the Philippine Cup that season, with Fajardo delivering crucial performances when they mattered most. I recall one particular game against Talk 'N Text where he scored 12 points in the fourth quarter alone, completely taking over when his team needed him most. That's what separates great players from legendary ones - the ability to elevate their game when the pressure is highest.
Thinking about Fajardo's legacy inevitably makes me consider the current state of Philippine basketball and how we develop our future stars. Which brings me to something that's been on my mind lately - the recent news about our two teams failing to bring home the trophy from the 2025 World University Basketball Series. It's disappointing, frankly. We sent two squads to represent the country, and neither managed to secure the championship. This speaks to the broader challenge we face in developing the next generation of basketball talent in the Philippines.
The connection might not seem immediately obvious, but bear with me. Fajardo's 2017 season represented the pinnacle of what's possible when talent meets proper development and opportunity. Our current system seems to be struggling to produce players who can maintain that standard internationally. Watching Fajardo dominate in 2017, I assumed we were witnessing the beginning of a golden era for Philippine basketball. The recent university tournament results suggest we still have work to do in building sustainable pathways for our young players to reach that elite level.
What made Fajardo's MVP season so legendary wasn't just what he accomplished statistically, but how he accomplished it. He played with a quiet confidence that inspired his teammates and intimidated opponents. His work ethic became the stuff of legend - stories about his extra shooting sessions and film study routines circulated among players and coaches. This professional approach to the game is something I wish more of our young players would emulate. The fundamentals that made Fajardo great - footwork, positioning, basketball IQ - seem to be getting less emphasis in today's game, and the university tournament results might reflect that shift.
Reflecting on that 2017 season now, Fajardo's fourth MVP feels like a turning point in PBA history. It cemented his status as perhaps the greatest player the league has ever seen, while setting a standard of excellence that future generations will be measured against. The disappointment of our university teams in international competition only highlights how special Fajardo's career has been, and how difficult it is to maintain that level of dominance. His legendary season combined individual brilliance with team success in a way that we haven't seen replicated since.
The truth is, legends aren't made overnight. Fajardo's 2017 MVP was the culmination of years of dedication, smart coaching, and continuous improvement. As we look toward developing the next generation of Philippine basketball stars, we'd do well to study what made his approach so effective. The fundamentals still matter. Consistency still matters. Team success still matters. Maybe if we can instill these values in our university players, the next time we send teams to international tournaments, the results will be different. Until then, we can look back at seasons like Fajardo's 2017 campaign as both an inspiration and a reminder of what Philippine basketball can achieve at its absolute best.