San Miguel superstar June Mar Fajardo receives his first PBA Most Valuable Player trophy, July 5, 2014. PBA Images/File
RODRIGUEZ, Rizal — Nine-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo will be putting up his first MVP trophy for auction to support relief efforts, as the country was battered by typhoons.
Fajardo, who hails from Cebu, saw his hometown got hit by Typhoon "Tino" just last week.
According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Tuesday, death toll due to "Tino" reached 232, 112 people are missing and 512 are injured due to the said typhoon.
"Siyempre nakakalungkot, hirap mawalan, dami nawalan ng bahay, nawalan ng hanapbuhay, lalo na 'yung iba, nawalan ng pamilya, mahal sa buhay. Alam ko mahirap, mahirap bumangon sa [trahedya]. Pero 'yun nga, tiwala lang tayo, pray lang tayo malalagpasan natin 'yon," said Fajardo on Wednesday moments after the San Miguel Beermen dismantled Titan UItra, 158-117, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
READ: PBA: June Mar Fajardo wins record-setting ninth MVP award
"Pray lang tayo kay God ng lakas ng loob na makabangon," he went on. "Magpo-provide naman si God para sa atin."
Asked why he chose that particular trophy to be put on auction in a TV5-led drive, Fajardo said his first top plum was a result of his years of hard work and sacrifices, as well as his much-awaited success.
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More importantly, it was because his fellow Cebuanos are close to his heart.
"Nung tinanong nga ako kung ano 'yung ipapa-auction ko, 'yun 'yung naisip ko kasi 'yung trophy na 'yon, special sa 'kin kasi years of hard work 'yon, sakripisyo, tapos andun 'yung failures," said Fajardo.
READ: 'Tino' death toll rises to 232, 'Uwan' casualties now 25: OCD
READ: DPWH to implement shelved 2017 flood control masterplan in storm-ravaged Cebu
"At successful din ako nung season na 'yon, nakuha ko 'yung MVP, espesyal 'yon para sa 'kin. 'Yun nga, espesyal 'yung mga Cebuano para sa 'kin."
In just his sophomore year, Fajardo already won the top individual plum, the first of his eventual nine MVP awards — a feat only the 6-foot-11 center holds.
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