June Mar Fajardo is back at his rightful throne.
Fajardo won his fourth Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award after San Miguel bested TNT, 119-97, in Game 7 of their best-of-seven Finals series in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night, Sept. 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 32-year-old Fajardo, who is now a nine-time PBA champion, posted norms of 19 points, 16.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks throughout the seven-game stretch of the Finals series.
Apart from anchoring the Beermen in bringing home their 28th overall PBA title and 10th championship in the All-Filipino Conference, Fajardo was earlier hailed as this season's Best Player of the Conference.
The gentle giant nicknamed "The Kraken" also won the Finals MVP plum back in 2015 during the Governor's Cup and in the 2017 and 2019 Philippine Cups.
Game 3 proved to be Fajardo's strongest outing after posting 27 points and 27 rebounds in the Beermen's 108-100 win against the Tropang Giga last Aug. 26.
In his speech, Fajardo extended his gratitude to all the San Miguel Corporation bosses, teammates, coaching staff, therapists, among others, as well as his parents -- father Bonifacio and late mother Marites.
"Gusto ko ring pasalamat 'yong Papa ko nandito. 'Di pwedeng wala 'yong Papa ko kasi 'yong Mama ko, nakakalungkot man pero wala siya rito," said Fajardo. "Pero alam ko nanonood siya sa akin. Sana proud siya sa akin ngayon.