The impact of June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson as most valuable players has made them worthy to be included in the list of the Philippine Basketball Association’s 50 Greatest Players.
Hall of Famer Ronnie Magsanoc said this on Wednesday after he led the league in naming the 10 newest members of the list.
Fajardo is an eight-time MVP for the San Miguel Beermen, which has won 10 league titles with him around.
“June Mar Fajardo is a generational-type of player, who is of a rare breed,” said Magsanoc, during the announcements made on the ONE Sports program Starting Lineup, at the Cignal TV offices in Mandaluyong.
Magsanoc, who made it as an All-Star player seven times, believes that Fajardo belongs in the same league as first batch honorees Atoy Co, Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio with his dominant game.
On the other hand, Thompson, the 2021 MVP playing for Barangay Ginebra, earned the nod for the leadership that he provides for his team.
“Siya ay isang MVP. And that put him in the pedestal with the greatest players. The only drawback he has is bata pa siya. But he deserves to be there,” added Magsanoc.
Fajardo and Thompson, the only active players added in the Greatest List, will be among those who will be honored when the PBA celebrates its 50th anniversary on April 11 at the Solaire North in Quezon City.
Basketball legends Nelson Asaytono, Jeffrey Cariaso, Bong Hawkins, Abe King, Danny Seigle, Manny Victorino, Yoyoy Villamin, and the late Arnie Tuadles were among those 10 named with Fajardo and Thompson, completing the list of the league’s 50 best pros.
Lengthy discussions by the PBA Selection Committee culminated in the choices that were made.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial commended the hard work of the selection committee in picking the deserving cagers.
“Dumaan ito sa malalim na proseso nang pagpili, and the PBA would like to thank the members of the Selection Committee for the effort they rendered. Hindi madali ang kanilang naging pagpupulong dahil alam nating lahat na marami ang deserving,” said Marcial.