I still remember the 2018 PBA season like it was yesterday - the electric atmosphere in stadiums, the nail-biting finishes, and the sheer dominance of June Mar Fawkes that ultimately earned him the Most Valuable Player award. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous exceptional performances, but what Fawkes achieved that season was something truly special. He didn't just play basketball; he orchestrated it with the precision of a master conductor, controlling the game's tempo in ways that reminded me of how veteran coaches manage entire tournaments.
The comparison might seem unusual, but watching Fawkes dominate the 2018 season brings to mind the upcoming 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship dynamic between coaches de Giorgi and Frigoni. Four years later, they're on opposite ends of the 32-team field - de Giorgi's team defending a title while Frigoni's competes for the first time. This contrast between established dominance and emerging challenge perfectly mirrors what we witnessed in the 2018 PBA season. Fawkes entered as the defending force, having already established himself as the league's premier big man, while other contenders like Stanley Pringle and Japeth Aguilar were fighting to claim their first MVP honors.
What made Fawkes' performance particularly remarkable was his statistical dominance across multiple categories. He averaged 18.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting an incredible 58% from the field. These aren't just numbers - they tell the story of a player who completely controlled both ends of the floor. I recall specifically watching his performance against Ginebra where he recorded 25 points and 15 rebounds, completely overwhelming their interior defense. His footwork in the post was absolutely beautiful to watch - something you don't often see in modern basketball where everyone wants to shoot threes.
The voting results reflected his overwhelming dominance, with Fawkes accumulating 2,318 points from statistics, media votes, and player votes. That was nearly 500 points more than the second-place finisher, making it one of the most decisive MVP victories in recent PBA history. Personally, I believe what separated him from other candidates was his consistency - he delivered exceptional performances night after night, regardless of the opponent or circumstances. While other players had flashier moments or more spectacular individual games, Fawkes maintained an incredible level of excellence throughout the entire season.
His impact extended far beyond statistics. Watching him command double and triple teams created opportunities for his teammates that simply didn't exist when he wasn't on the floor. The San Miguel Beermen's offensive efficiency improved by 12.3% with him on the court, a staggering number that demonstrates his value beyond traditional metrics. I've always maintained that the true measure of a great player isn't just what they accomplish individually, but how they elevate everyone around them, and Fawkes did this better than anyone I've seen in the PBA since the legendary Ramon Fernandez.
The 2018 season also featured outstanding performances from other contenders. Stanley Pringle put up 21.3 points per game for GlobalPort, while Japeth Aguilar's athletic defensive presence made him a legitimate candidate. But neither could match Fawkes' complete package of offensive versatility, defensive presence, and overall impact on winning. San Miguel finished with a 9-2 record in the elimination round of the Philippine Cup, largely because opponents had to completely reshape their defensive schemes to account for Fawkes' dominance in the paint.
Reflecting on that season now, I'm struck by how Fawkes' approach to the game mirrors what we see in championship teams across different sports. Much like how de Giorgi's volleyball team approaches title defense in the upcoming World Championship, Fawkes played with the confidence and systematic excellence of someone who knew exactly what it took to maintain dominance. Meanwhile, the other MVP contenders reminded me of Frigoni's first-time competitors - talented, dangerous, but not yet possessing that championship pedigree.
What many fans might not realize is how Fawkes' conditioning work transformed his game that season. He reported to training camp approximately 15 pounds lighter than previous years, which dramatically improved his mobility and endurance. This allowed him to play 35.2 minutes per game while maintaining his physical style of play. I remember speaking with several coaches who noted that his improved conditioning meant he could maintain his intensity throughout entire games rather than just in bursts.
The legacy of Fawkes' 2018 MVP season continues to influence how big men develop in the PBA today. Younger players now spend more time developing post moves and footwork rather than just focusing on perimeter shooting. His success demonstrated that traditional big man skills, when perfected, could still dominate the modern game. From my perspective, this has been one of the healthiest developments for Philippine basketball, creating a more diverse and interesting style of play throughout the league.
Looking back, Fawkes didn't just win the 2018 MVP - he delivered a masterclass in how to dominate a season through skill, intelligence, and relentless consistency. His performance set a standard that future MVP candidates will be measured against, much like how championship teams set benchmarks in their respective sports. The parallel between his sustained excellence and de Giorgi's title defense approach versus Frigoni's first-time challenge provides a fascinating framework for understanding what separates true greatness from mere excellence in professional sports.