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JMF, RHJ win PBA Season 49 individual plums
June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beermen added another accolade in his collection when he received his unprecedented 11th Best of the Conference Plum, while TNT Tropang Giga's reinforcement Rondae-Hollis Jefferson was once again named Best import.
The awards were given before Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra and TNT Tropang Giga.
Fajardo became the first player in PBA history to win the BIC award 11 times, making it the most in the league.
The eight-time MVP surpassed his teammate CJay Perez, Ginebra stars Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson. He also topped Alvin Tolentino of Northport and Robert Bolick of NLEX to win the individual recognition.
'The Kraken' collected a total of 980 points (465 statistical points, 476 media votes, and 48 player votes), while Aguilar had 664 and Thompson 465.
According to Fajardo, he didn't expect that he would win another recognition but he's thankful for the blessings that he received.
Photo Courtesy: PBA Images
"I didn't expect this. I was in Cebu. I'm happy that I got this award. This is a blessing. I'm thankful to everyone - my teammates, coaches, fellow players. Thank you to all of them, I got this award," said Fajardo in Filipino.
Even though the gentle giant from Pinamungajan, Cebu became the player that has the most BPC awards in the league, he's being appreciated and looked up to as he remains humble in all aspects.
"In my mind, I haven't achieved anything yet. That's why I always push myself to strive. It has never occurred to me to think about the awards. I keep them, I cherish them but all of those achievements never crossed my mind," he added.
Meanwhile, Hollis-Jefferson won his second Best Import citation in the same conference.
RHJ led the statistical race with 1,221 total points (663 SPs, 491 media votes, and 67 player votes).
