PBA Season 49 MVP June Mar Fajardo and Rookie of the Year RJ Abarrientos. PBA Images
MANILA – June Mar Fajardo has made PBA history once again as he won his ninth Most Valuable Player Award.
Fajardo took home the MVP plum for the record-extending ninth time at the Leo Awards for Season 49 held at Novotel Manila on Sunday, ahead of the golden season opener.
The 6-foot-10 big man beat MVP contenders Robert Bolick of the NLEX Road Warriors and Arvin Tolentino, formerly from the North Port Batang Pier.
"The Kraken" received the award in front of several PBA legends including four-time MVP Ramon Fernandez, regarded by some as one of the greatest players of all time.
The 11-time PBA champion is the only player to achieve the feat in the five-decade history of Asia's first pay-for-play league.
Fajardo was the clear frontrunner for the league's higher award, leading all players in statistical points by the end of the season with 42.1 points, off averages of 19.2 points, 15.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
READ: June Mar Fajardo wins 8th MVP plum, Stephen Holt is ROY
He also earlier won the MVP award for the Governors' Cup and the Philippine Cup.
The award is Fajardo's third-straight MVP plum after making a comeback from a tibia injury in 2020 that saw his MVP streak halted after winning from 2014 to 2019.
Aside from MVP, Fajardo also earned his 10th Mythical Team selection.
Fajardo's San Miguel teammate CJay Perez, fellow MVP contenders Bolick and Tolentino, as well as TNT Tropang 5G's Calvin Oftana join him in the First Mythical Team.
READ: PBA: June Mar Fajardo wins record-extending 7th MVP award
The Cebuano big man also earned an All-Defensive Team selection, his eighth overall.
Joining Fajardo are TNT's Glenn Khobuntin, Magnolia Hotshots' Zavier Lucero, Barangay Ginebra's Stephen Holt and Titan Ultra Giant Risers' Joshua Munzon.
Munzon also took home the Most Improved Player award, after a solid outing with then NorthPort Batang Pier in Season 49.
Ginebra's Scottie Thompson led the Second Mythical team alongside his teammate Japeth Aguilar, TNT'S Roger Pogoy, Converge FiberXers' Justin Arana, and Magnolia's Lucero.
READ: PBA: 'Wala pa akong napatunayan,' says Fajardo after inclusion in 50 Greatest list
RJ Abarrientos completed the haul for the Gin Kings, winning the Rookie of the Year award. He edged out Sedrick Barefield of the Blackwater Bossing, Caelan Tiongson of the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, Kai Ballungay of the Phoenix Fuel Masters and CJ Cansino of the Meralco Bolts.
Rain or Shine's newly-elected team captain Gian Mamuyac took home the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship award.