Who Won the 2017 PBA MVP and How Did They Achieve This Honor?

I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2017 PBA season like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous MVP races, but the 2017 showdown between June Mar Fajardo and Jayson Castro was particularly electrifying. Let me take you through how Fajardo secured his fourth consecutive MVP award and why this achievement remains significant in PBA history. The voting wasn't even close - Fajardo dominated with 2,427 points compared to Castro's 1,174, making it one of the most lopsided MVP victories in recent memory.

What made Fajardo's 2017 campaign so special wasn't just the numbers, though they were certainly impressive. The man averaged 18.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 58% from the field. But beyond the statistics, it was his consistency and dominance in crucial moments that truly set him apart. I recall watching him dismantle opposing defenses with that unstoppable low-post game of his. His footwork for a big man was just extraordinary, and he had developed this uncanny ability to read double-teams before they even materialized. The way he anchored San Miguel's defense while simultaneously being their primary offensive weapon was something we rarely see in modern basketball.

The context of that season makes Fajardo's achievement even more remarkable. San Miguel was navigating through injuries to key players, and Fajardo essentially carried the team on his broad shoulders through much of the campaign. I remember thinking during their Commissioner's Cup run that he was playing at a level we hadn't seen since the legendary Ramon Fernandez. His performance in the Philippine Cup finals against Talk 'N Text was particularly masterful - averaging 22 points and 15 rebounds while playing through what we later learned was a nagging knee issue. That's the kind of toughness that separates good players from true legends.

Now, here's something that often gets overlooked in discussions about Fajardo's 2017 MVP - his dramatic improvement in free throw shooting. Earlier in his career, opponents would intentionally foul him, knowing he struggled from the line. But by 2017, he had elevated his free throw percentage to nearly 75%, which for a center of his caliber was downright impressive. I spoke with several coaches that season who admitted they had to completely rethink their defensive strategies against him because the old "hack-a-Shaq" approach simply didn't work anymore.

The competition from Jayson Castro was formidable, make no mistake about that. Castro was coming off what might have been his best individual season, averaging 19 points and 6 assists while leading TNT to multiple finals appearances. But what ultimately sealed the MVP race in Fajardo's favor was the combination of individual excellence and team success. San Miguel captured two championships that season, and Fajardo was the undeniable centerpiece of both triumphs. I've always believed that team achievement should weigh heavily in MVP considerations, and the voters clearly felt the same way.

What's particularly fascinating about Fajardo's 2017 campaign is how he evolved beyond being just a dominant low-post presence. He developed this beautiful high-post passing game that made San Miguel's offense virtually unstoppable. I remember watching him dissect defenses with pinpoint passes to cutting teammates, something you don't typically expect from a 6'10" center. His basketball IQ seemed to make this quantum leap that season, and it showed in how he controlled games without necessarily dominating the ball.

The voting breakdown tells its own story - Fajardo received 1,678 points from the media, 429 from players, and 320 from the PBA office. This broad consensus across different voting blocs demonstrates how universally respected his performance was that season. In my conversations with fellow analysts, we all agreed that while Castro had his supporters, there was never any real doubt about who would take home the hardware. Fajardo's dominance was just too overwhelming to ignore.

Looking back, I think the 2017 MVP race represented a turning point in how we evaluate big men in Philippine basketball. Fajardo shattered the stereotype of the traditional, ground-bound center and showed that skilled big men could indeed dominate the modern game. His ability to protect the rim while also serving as an offensive hub revolutionized how teams approached building their rosters. I've noticed several franchises since then prioritizing skilled big men over traditional bruisers, and I believe Fajardo's 2017 season played a significant role in that shift.

The legacy of that MVP season continues to resonate today. When I talk to young players coming into the league, many of them cite Fajardo's 2017 campaign as inspiration for developing a more well-rounded game. His commitment to improving aspects of his game that weren't naturally strengths - like his free throw shooting and passing - serves as a blueprint for professional development. In an era where specialization has become increasingly common, Fajardo's determination to excel in every facet of the game stands as a powerful example of what true greatness requires.

As we reflect on that remarkable season, it's worth noting how Fajardo's achievement fits into the broader context of Philippine basketball's evolution. The good news is that, of course, the proud program from Mendiola is stepping up its game, too, producing talents who might one day challenge Fajardo's legacy. But for now, his 2017 MVP season remains the gold standard for individual excellence in the PBA - a perfect blend of statistical dominance, team success, and skill development that we may not see replicated for quite some time. His journey from raw prospect to four-time MVP stands as testament to what's possible through dedicated work and relentless improvement, qualities that continue to inspire the next generation of Filipino basketball stars.