Who is the best player in PBA and what makes them stand out from the rest?

I remember watching that game last Sunday and just shaking my head. Gilas Pilipinas Youth getting beaten by 24 points - 106-82 against Chinese-Taipei in the Fiba U16 Asia Cup - it really got me thinking about what separates good players from truly great ones. When you see a young team struggle like that, you start appreciating what makes certain PBA players absolutely special. See, I've been following Philippine basketball for over fifteen years now, and I've seen countless players come and go, but only a handful truly deserve that "best player" title.

What makes someone the best in PBA isn't just about scoring the most points or having the flashiest moves. It's about consistency, leadership, and that intangible quality of making everyone around them better. I've always believed that June Mar Fajardo embodies this better than anyone else. Standing at 6'10", he's not just tall - he's fundamentally sound in ways that make coaches weep with joy. I remember watching him during the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup finals where he averaged 22.5 points and 12.8 rebounds while shooting 63% from the field. Those numbers aren't just statistics - they represent dominance night after night, something our young Gilas players desperately need to learn.

But here's what really separates Fajardo from the pack - his basketball IQ. During that disappointing Gilas Youth game, I noticed our young players forcing shots and making poor decisions under pressure. Meanwhile, Fajardo has this incredible ability to read the game two or three moves ahead. I've lost count of how many times I've seen him make the perfect pass out of a double team or position himself exactly where he needs to be for an offensive rebound. It's like he's playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. His footwork in the post is absolutely beautiful to watch - something you rarely see in modern basketball where everyone wants to shoot three-pointers.

Now, some people might argue for other players, and I get it. Scottie Thompson brings incredible energy and that triple-double potential every night. I've seen him grab rebounds over much taller players and make passes that leave you scratching your head wondering how he saw that opening. Then there's CJ Perez, who might be the most explosive scorer in the league right now. I watched him drop 35 points against Ginebra last season, and the way he gets to the rim is just breathtaking. But here's the thing - while these players have incredible peaks, Fajardo maintains that excellence consistently over seasons.

What really cemented Fajardo as the best for me was watching him play through injuries. I recall this one game where he was clearly hurting, yet he still put up 18 points and 15 rebounds while basically playing on one leg. That kind of toughness and commitment is what our young players need to see. Looking at that 106-82 loss to Chinese-Taipei, I couldn't help but think about how much our youth team could learn from Fajardo's mental toughness. Basketball isn't just about physical gifts - it's about resilience, about getting back up when you get knocked down.

The numbers don't lie either. Fajardo has won six MVP awards - that's not a fluke, that's sustained greatness. He's shooting around 58% from the field for his career, which is insane when you consider how much defensive attention he draws every single game. I've analyzed hundreds of PBA games, and what strikes me about Fajardo is how efficient he is. He doesn't waste movements, doesn't force bad shots - everything is calculated and purposeful.

Comparing him to international players really puts things in perspective. When our Gilas Youth team struggled against Chinese-Taipei, it highlighted the gap between having talent and knowing how to use it effectively. Fajardo would have recognized the defensive schemes, adjusted his game, and found ways to create opportunities for his teammates. That's the kind of basketball intelligence that takes years to develop and what truly separates the best from the rest.

I've had conversations with coaches who've worked with him, and they all say the same thing - his work ethic is unmatched. While other players are sleeping, he's in the gym working on his footwork. While others are satisfied with being good enough, he's constantly looking for ways to improve. That dedication shows in games where he makes difficult plays look effortless.

Watching that disappointing Fiba U16 game actually reinforced my belief in what makes Fajardo special. Our young players showed flashes of talent but lacked the discipline and basketball intelligence that Fajardo has mastered over his career. The way he sets screens, the timing of his rolls to the basket, his defensive positioning - these are the details that casual fans might miss but that coaches absolutely cherish.

At the end of the day, basketball is about winning, and nobody has done more winning than June Mar Fajardo. His teams have won multiple championships, and he's been the central figure in all of them. While other players might have more highlight-reel plays, Fajardo has the substance to match the style. He may not be the most exciting player to watch for casual fans, but for those who truly understand the game, watching him work is like watching an artist create a masterpiece.

So when people ask me who the best PBA player is, I don't hesitate - it's June Mar Fajardo. His combination of skill, size, basketball IQ, and consistency is something we may not see again for a very long time. And if our young Gilas players want to avoid more losses like that 106-82 beating, they should be studying every move Fajardo makes on the court. Because greatness isn't just about natural talent - it's about what you do with that talent, and nobody has done more with their gifts than the Kraken himself.