The rain was drumming a steady rhythm against the windowpane of the old gym, a sound I’ve come to associate with reflection. I was watching a group of young players run drills, their sneakers squeaking in a frantic chorus on the polished hardwood. One kid in particular caught my eye—not the tallest or the most flashy, but there was a dogged determination in his eyes, a relentless hustle in every movement. He was diving for loose balls, setting hard screens, doing all the little things that don’t always make the highlight reels. It reminded me of a quote I’d read somewhere, about a player giving his all just to be seen: "Still, Quiambao is doing everything he can to get noticed." That phrase echoed in my mind, and suddenly, it transported me back nine years, to a season that wasn’t just about one superstar’s glory, but about a seismic shift in the very fabric of Philippine basketball. It made me think of the burning question that defined that year: who won the PBA MVP 2015 award and what made it a historic season?

I remember the 2014-2015 PBA season vividly. The air was thick with a different kind of anticipation. For what felt like an eternity, the league’s Most Valuable Player award had been the exclusive domain of a certain archetype—the prolific, often high-scoring import or the established local superstar with gaudy stats. It was a pattern, a tradition almost. But that season, something felt different. There was a palpable sense that the ground was shifting beneath our feet. I was covering games back then, and the narrative in the press box was slowly changing. We weren't just talking about who scored the most points; we were starting to whisper about value in its purest, most selfless form. And that’s where June Mar Fajardo comes in. Now, let's be clear, Fajardo wasn't an unknown entity. The "Kraken" was already a force, a 6-foot-10 behemoth from Cebu. But an MVP? The conventional wisdom was skeptical. Could a center, whose game was built on fundamentals and defensive dominance rather than flashy crossovers, truly capture the league's highest individual honor?

The answer, as we all now know, was a resounding yes. June Mar Fajardo, then playing for the San Miguel Beermen, was crowned the PBA MVP for the 2014-2015 season. But stating that fact alone doesn't do justice to the history he made. This wasn't just another award; this was the ignition of a dynasty. It was his second consecutive MVP, putting him in rare company, but more importantly, it cemented a new paradigm. Fajardo averaged a monstrous 16.7 points and a league-leading 14.2 rebounds per game that season. Those numbers are impressive, sure, but they don't tell the whole story. His value was in his immovable presence in the paint, his impeccable timing on rebounds, and his sheer efficiency. He shot over 57% from the field, a testament to his smart shot selection. He was the anchor, the unshakeable foundation upon which San Miguel built its success. Watching him play was like watching a master craftsman at work—no unnecessary flourishes, just relentless, effective execution.

What made it truly historic, in my opinion, was how he redefined "value." Before Fajardo’s reign, the MVP conversation was often dominated by guards and scorers. He forced us, the fans and the pundits, to look beyond the box score and appreciate the grind, the dirty work. He made dominance look quiet, almost effortless. This brings me back to that kid in the gym and that poignant thought, "Still, Quiambao is doing everything he can to get noticed." In many ways, Fajardo’s early career had shades of that. He wasn't the loudest or the most media-savvy player. His game was his statement. He did everything he was supposed to do, and he did it better than anyone else, until the league simply couldn't ignore him any longer. His MVP win was a validation for every player whose contributions aren't always quantifiable by points alone. It signaled that consistency, reliability, and fundamental greatness could, and would, be rewarded at the highest level.

I have to admit, I was a convert. I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdog, for the player who wins through sheer will and hard work rather than pure, god-given athleticism. Fajardo’s ascent felt like a victory for basketball purists. It wasn't just about winning the award; it was about the manner in which he won it. He led San Miguel to the Philippine Cup championship that same season, further solidifying the direct link between his individual brilliance and his team's ultimate success. The 2015 MVP award for June Mar Fajardo wasn't an endpoint; it was a starting pistol. It kicked off a run of six—yes, six—MVP awards, a record that seems almost untouchable now. Looking back, that rainy afternoon in the gym, watching that determined young player, made me appreciate the legacy of that 2015 season even more. It was the year the PBA’s center of gravity permanently shifted, all because a quiet giant from Cebu decided to do everything he could, not just to get noticed, but to become unforgettable.