When June Mar Fajardo accepted his 6th PBA Most Valuable Player award in early March 2020, he was wheeled out onto the Smart Araneta Coliseum floor on a mobility device and accompanied by his parents Marites and Bonifacio.
Fajardo was just weeks removed from a horrific injury he sustained in a San Miguel Beermen practice, where his left tibia snapped into two while he was elevating for a lay-up.
As he accepted his trophy then, he wondered if it would be the last time he would do so.
On Sunday, at the league's annual Leo Awards, Fajardo's comeback came full circle after he won a historic 7th MVP.
He recaptured the coveted title he had won for six straight seasons before Barangay Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson broke his streak in 2021.
No award was given during the pandemic-hit 2020 season, which was limited to a single bubble conference in Pampanga and which Fajardo sat out with a leg fracture.
"This was the most challenging among all my MVPs because I came from injury," he admitted. "It was 18, 19 months before I could play again."
"I really didn't expect to win another MVP after I got injured," Fajardo admitted in Tagalog on Sunday.
"To tell you the truth, I didn't even know if I would be able to come back and compete at this level again after my injury. It was a major injury, but my doctors were able to find a way."
As it turned out, Fajardo's injury back then wasn't even the worst thing that would happen over the following two years.
Just three days after he received his award, the PBA suspended the rest of the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fajardo was left alone and isolated, with his mobility severely limited.
"When I fractured my tibia, for six or seven months, I was just in my room," he recalled.
"I couldn't walk, and I used a scooter lent to me by boss RSA (San Miguel Corp. president Ramon S. Ang). It was tough. I couldn't put any weight on my foot. It was very, very tough."
To while away the time, Fajardo immersed himself in Esports. He told his parents not to visit him because he didn't want them, especially his mother, to worry too much.
It would turn out to be a decision he would later regret.
"They wanted to come over, but I said no. I should have allowed my mother to come to Manila," said Fajardo ruefully. "I didn't see her anymore."
In August 2021, Fajardo's mother suddenly died in his home province of Cebu. A self-confessed "mama's boy", Fajardo took her death hard.
Worse, he couldn't immediately fly home to grieve with his family due to travel restrictions at the time.
"How I wish my parents were here, especially my mother," Fajardo said. "But I know she's very happy for me right now along with my grandparents. I know they continue to guide me. This is for them."
Fajardo eventually made it back to the PBA 19 months after his injury, but his road back was challenging. His numbers in the 2021 season were his lowest since his rookie year and the Beermen failed to win a title.
"It was so hard -- that process of bouncing back," he related. "I had to motivate myself. It was tempting to just give up. You easily lose your conditioning, you gain weight. There were times I wanted to give up and think 'I'm done with basketball.'
"But I knew I could still play. I was just being tested by God."
With averages of 17.7 points, 13.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and a career-high 2.9 assists from 46 games in Season 47, Fajardo garnered 2,248 points to handily beat out teammate CJ Perez (1,117), as well as Ginebra's Scottie Thompson (1,539) and Christian Standhardinger (1,559).
Votes were given by the media, players and the PBA's Commissioner's Office.
Fajardo now has three more MVPs than the two legends tied for second -- Mon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio -- and it's difficult to see anyone catching up with him anytime soon, if at all.
Among all previous winners, only James Yap, who has won two, and Thompson are still active in the league.
Fajardo turns 34 on Nov. 17 and, although he has recently missed more games than before due to various injuries, his discipline and good physical conditioning -- plus the position he plays -- make it probable for him to win one or two more. After all, his idol Fernandez won his fourth and last MVP at age 36.
"I'll keep pushing myself to improve," he said.
Joining Fajardo in the Mythical First Team were Perez and the Ginebra trio of Thompson, Standhardinger and Jamie Malonzo.
The second team was composed of NorthPort Batang Pier's Arvin Tolentino and Robert Bolick, TNT Tropang Giga's Calvin Oftana and Mikey Williams, and Magnolia Hotshots' Calvin Abueva.
Fajardo was also named to the All-Defensive team where he was joined by Standhardinger, Meralco Bolts' Cliff Hodge and Chris Newsome, and Magnolia's Jio Jalalon.
Converge FiberXers' Justin Arana was named Rookie of the Year after beating out Blackwater Bossing's Ato Ular, while his former teammate Maverick Ahanmisi -- who has since joined Ginebra -- won Most Improved Player.
For the second straight year, NLEX Road Warriors' Kevin Alas won the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award.