MANILA — June Mar Fajardo was once again recognized as Mr. Basketball, while Bryan Bagunas and Bella Belen were awarded as Mr. and Ms. Volleyball at the prestigious SMC-PSA Awards Night. The gala is being organized by the country's oldest media organization and will be presented on February 16 at the Diamond Hotel Manila.
At the age of 35, this is the seventh time that Fajardo has been named Mr. Basketball, while Bagunas came second and Belen first. Also included in the annual list of the best athletes for 2025 are Carlos Yulo and Alex Eala, both of whom will be recognized at the said event.
In Season 49 of the PBA, Fajardo once again showed his mettle with San Miguel after winning his nineteenth MVP trophy, and ultimately leading the team to their 11th Philippine Cup championship. He also continued to be a pillar of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup and the first window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The 28-year-old Bagunas from Balayan, Batangas led Alas Pilipinas in their first-ever FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, held in the Philippines. They recorded a historic win over world no. 21 Egypt before falling to no. 14 Iran, but won the bronze medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The 23-year-old Belen led National University to its second consecutive UAAP women's volleyball championship, defeating La Salle in the finals. She was also named league MVP in her final season, and her jersey #4 was officially retired by NU—a first in school history. She was also part of the Alas Pilipinas team that won the silver medal in the AVC Women's Volleyball Nation Cup in Hanoi.
