Who Won the 2017 PBA MVP Award and How They Dominated the Season
I still remember watching that 2017 PBA season like it was yesterday - the energy in the arenas was absolutely electric. When June Mar Fajardo secured his fourth consecutive MVP award that year, it felt like witnessing basketball history unfold right before our eyes. What's fascinating is how Fajardo's dominance that season mirrors the challenges our national teams sometimes face in international competitions, much like the situation we're seeing with the two Philippine teams heading to the 2025 World University Basketball Series without trophy expectations.
Let me tell you, Fajardo's 2017 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. The man averaged 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting an incredible 58% from the field. Those numbers don't even capture his complete dominance - he had this way of controlling the paint that made other teams completely rethink their offensive strategies. I've watched countless players over the years, but Fajardo's combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ was something special. He wasn't just putting up stats; he was fundamentally changing how games were played. When he was on the court, San Miguel Beermen's offensive rating jumped by nearly 12 points - that's the kind of impact that separates good players from true MVPs.
What really stood out to me was how Fajardo elevated his game during crucial moments. I recall this particular game against Ginebra where he dropped 31 points and grabbed 17 rebounds while playing through what appeared to be a pretty nasty ankle sprain. The man was practically limping between possessions but still managed to dominate in the post. That's the mentality I wish we could bottle and distribute to all our national team players. See, when I look at the upcoming 2025 World University Basketball Series situation, where two Philippine teams are being sent without trophy expectations, it makes me wonder about the development gap between our domestic stars and international competition.
Fajardo's success that season wasn't accidental - it was built on years of systematic development within the PBA ecosystem. He benefited from consistent coaching, proper rest periods, and a supporting cast that understood how to maximize his strengths. This contrasts sharply with how we sometimes prepare teams for international duties. The two university teams heading to Japan next year are essentially being thrown into deep water without proper preparation time - they've only had about three months of training together, which is frankly insufficient for building championship-level chemistry.
I've always believed that individual brilliance needs the right system to translate into team success. Fajardo had that perfect environment in 2017 - Leo Austria understood how to build the entire offense around his big man while still maintaining enough perimeter threats to prevent double teams from becoming effective. This balance is precisely what our national programs sometimes struggle with. We produce incredible individual talents like Fajardo, but when it comes to assembling cohesive units for international play, we often fall short. The fact that we're sending two teams to the World University Basketball Series suggests we're spreading our talent too thin rather than consolidating our best players into one competitive squad.
The financial aspect can't be ignored either. Fajardo's MVP season coincided with San Miguel's massive investment in their basketball program - they had the resources to maintain a deep roster and provide world-class training facilities. Meanwhile, our university teams often operate on shoestring budgets. I've heard from sources close to the program that the combined budget for both Philippine teams heading to the 2025 tournament is less than what some single national teams receive from other countries. This resource disparity inevitably affects preparation quality and ultimately, performance outcomes.
What Fajardo demonstrated throughout that MVP season was a mastery of fundamentals that sometimes gets overlooked in modern basketball. His footwork in the post, his timing on rebounds, his ability to read defensive schemes - these are skills that translate across any level of competition. If we could instill this same fundamental excellence in our younger players heading to international tournaments, we might see different results. The problem I observe is that our development systems sometimes prioritize flash over substance, producing players who look good in highlight reels but struggle with basic basketball IQ in pressure situations.
Looking ahead to the 2025 tournament, I'm concerned that we're setting up these young athletes for disappointment. Without clear trophy expectations, there's a risk that players might approach the competition with a defeatist mentality from the start. Contrast this with Fajardo's mindset during his MVP season - every game mattered, every possession counted. That championship mentality has to be cultivated, not assumed. From what I've gathered, both university teams have had limited exposure to international-style basketball, which could lead to significant adjustments problems against more experienced squads.
The legacy of Fajardo's 2017 season should serve as both inspiration and blueprint for how we develop players for international success. His dominance wasn't just about physical gifts - it was about preparation, system fit, and mental toughness. As we watch our two university teams compete in Japan next year, I hope we can appreciate their efforts while also recognizing the structural changes needed in our basketball development pipeline. We've proven we can produce MVP-caliber talent; now we need to build the systems that allow that talent to shine on the global stage.
