Fajardo named Finals MVP after breaking PBA rebound record

June Mar Fajardo won Most Valuable Player honors in the PBA Philippine Cup finals on Wednesday night, after leading San Miguel Beer to a fifth straight title.

Fajardo set a new PBA record for locals with 31 rebounds in San Miguel's 72-71 victory over Magnolia, breaking the mark by a local set by Jinkee Simbulan in 1975. It also tied the tally of Filipino-American forward Jeff Moore with amateur guest team Northern Consolidated in 1985.

San Miguel, which rallied from a 17-point deficit in the third quarter, from needed each monster rebound from the five-time season MVP to outlast the Hotshots down the stretch.

Magnolia still led, 71-70, on a basket by Ian Sangalang with two minutes remaining in the game. After an exchange of fruitless attempts by both teams, Cabagnot scored on a tough fadeaway over Paul Lee to put San Miguel up, 72-71, with 57 seconds remaining.

Jio Jalalon missed on the potential go-ahead basket, giving Fajardo, his 30th rebound with less than 20 seconds remaining. San Miguel, however, turned the ball over on its inbound, giving the Hotshots another chance.

The Beermen foiled another attempt by Jalalon inside, allowing Fajardo to grab his 31st rebound with 4.8 seconds left.

The Cebuano big man missed both free throws, but Lee was unable to get a good attempt from the backcourt as the final buzzer sounded. —JST, GMA News