The PBA press corps on Thursday announced the introduction of the Ramon Fernandez Trophy to be awarded to the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner.
PBA starts with 50th season Philippine Cup Finals, the PBA press corps will present a trophy in honor of Mr. Fernandez for his remarkable contributions including a record 19 championships, the most by any player.
Mr. Fernandez gave his blessing in a meeting with PBA press corps chairman Vladimir Eduarte Abante/Tonite and other officers of the group during the 50th The season started last October 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“To take home the PBA Finals MVP trophy, especially in this 50th year, the golden anniversary of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), is something I never imagined, yet will always cherish. This is more than personal recognition. It’s a reminder of a lifetime shaped by the league that gave me purpose, pride and a second family,” Mr. Fernandez said.
“The PBA was my battlefield, my classroom and my home. It was here that I learned the meaning of discipline, sacrifice, resilience, teamwork, humility and leadership under pressure. Every championship fought for, every finals series endured, every excitement and every criticism… all of these shaped the player and person I became. I am very grateful to this league for what I am today.”
The first four-time MVP won nine titles with the famed Toyota franchise, before winning three for Tanduay and seven for the San Miguel Beermen, highlighted by a historic grand slam in 1989.
Mr. Fernandez is also the league's all-time leading scorer with 18,996 points, a record that may stand the test of time.
“With those 19 championships, who knows how many Finals MVP awards Mr. Fernandez could have won if such recognition had been awarded earlier during his time there,” Mr. Eduarte said. “The Finals MVP trophy in Fernandez's name is a well-deserved recognition that the PBA press corps has unanimously decided upon.”
The introduction of the Ramon Fernandez Trophy also comes as the press corps will mark 30 years since awarding the award to its first Finals MVP, which was Jojo Lastimosa for Alaska in the 1996 All-Filipino Cup, 20 years after Mr. Fernandez.th And last season as a professional player with San Miguel.
A plaque was given to each of the previous Finals MVP winners, who are determined through votes by press corps members who actively cover the PBA beat.
In addition to being the PBA's career scoring leader, Mr. Fernandez still remains No. 1 in the league's total rebound ladder (8,652), defensive rebounds (6,435), shot blocks (1,853), free throws (3,848), minutes played (36,624:30), and career assists (5,220), along with steals (5,220). (1,302) and games played (1,074).
Mr. Fernandez, who also played for Beer Hausen and Purefoods, averaged 17.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.7 shot blocks per game during his illustrious 20-season career. — Olmin Leyba