History and Legacy of PBA MVP and Finals MVP List

The Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) has seen some of the most talented and passionate players in its long and storied history. The league’s highest individual honors, the PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and PBA Finals MVP, recognize the best of the best. These awards celebrate the league’s superstars, rising heroes, and unforgettable moments that have shaped Philippines basketball.

In this article, we dive deep into the history of PBA MVPs, legendary multi-award winners, underdog stories, and defining highlights that made these players true icons of the game.

PBA MVP List Awardees

The PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is given annually to the best-performing player in the league, considering overall impact, statistics, and leadership. While the MVP award reflects consistency over a season that lead their team to dominate and lead the tournament

PBA Finals MVP List Awardess

The PBA Finals MVP award is presented to the most outstanding player in the league's finals series. Below is a table of Finals MVP winners from 1996 to the most recent season:

The PBA Finals MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award is given to the best-performing player in the championship series of each PBA conference. It recognizes a player's exceptional impact, leadership, and clutch performances in securing a title. Unlike the season MVP, which rewards consistency throughout the year, the Finals MVP honors those who step up in the most crucial games, making it one of the most prestigious individual accolades in PBA history.

PBA Legends Dominated the 90s

PBA Legends: Multiple MVP Award Winners

Some players have dominated the league so thoroughly that they have won multiple MVP awards. These basketball legends have set the standard for excellence in the PBA:

June Mar Fajardo – The Modern-Day Titan

No discussion of multiple MVP winners is complete without June Mar Fajardo. The San Miguel Beermen superstar has redefined dominance in Philippines basketball, winning a record-breaking six consecutive MVP awards from 2014 to 2019. Known as the "Kraken," Fajardo’s size, skill, and consistency have made him nearly unstoppable.

Alvin Patrimonio – Purefoods’ Heart and Soul

A four-time MVP, Alvin Patrimonio was the face of Purefoods (now Magnolia Hotshots) in the 1990s. His combination of skill, leadership, and charisma made him a fan favorite and a true legend of the game.

Ramon Fernandez & Bogs Adornado – The Early Kings

In the early years of the PBA, Ramon Fernandez and Bogs Adornado set the bar high by winning multiple MVP titles. Fernandez, with four MVPs, remains one of the most versatile players in PBA history. Adornado, despite injuries, still managed to secure three MVP awards, showcasing his scoring brilliance.

Benjie Paras - The Unmatched Feat (1989)

Dubbed the "Tower of Power," Benjie Paras made an immediate impact upon entering the league as the first overall pick in the 1989 PBA Draft for the Shell Rimula-X team. His dominance in scoring, rebounding, and defense earned him both the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in his very first season a feat that has never been repeated in PBA history.

Paras led Shell to the 1989 Open Conference Championship, solidifying his status as one of the greatest big men in Philippines basketball. His combination of size, agility, and basketball IQ made him an unstoppable force, setting the benchmark for future PBA rookies.

To this day, no other player has managed to achieve the same dual-award honor, making Benjie Paras’ 1989 season one of the most historic and legendary in PBA history.

Memorable PBA Finals MVP Performances

LA Tenorio’s Veteran Brilliance (2020)

In the 2020 Philippines Cup Finals, LA Tenorio proved why he remains one of the league’s most clutch players. At 36, he led Barangay Ginebra Kings to victory and secured the Finals MVP award, showing that experience and leadership can win championships.

Mikey Williams’ Explosive 2021 & 2023 Titles

A newcomer who immediately made an impact, Mikey Williams played a key role in TNT Tropang Giga's championships in 2021 and 2023. His scoring outbursts and playmaking ability earned him multiple Finals MVP awards, making him one of the most exciting guards in recent PBA history.

June Mar Fajardo’s Redemption (2022)

After an injury-plagued season, June Mar Fajardo returned with a vengeance in the 2022 All-Filipino Cup Finals, leading San Miguel Beermen to another championship and securing the Finals MVP. His dominant presence in the paint reminded fans why he is a six-time MVP.

Underdogs Who Rose to the Occasion

While MVPs and Finals MVPs are usually won by established stars, some players have defied expectations and delivered legendary performances:

Chris Newsome (2024) – Breaking Barriers

Meralco Bolts had never won a PBA championship before 2024, but Chris Newsome changed that. His incredible clutch jumper in Game 6 of the 2024 All-Filipino Cup Finals helped Meralco secure its first-ever PBA title, earning him the Finals MVP award.

Jayson Castro (2024) – Age is Just a Number

At 38 years old, Jayson Castro proved that he still had what it takes to perform at the highest level. In the 2024 Governors Cup Cup Finals, he led TNT Tropang Giga to another title, earning Finals MVP honors in what many consider one of the most inspiring performances by a veteran player.

Greatest MVP & Finals MVP Highlights in PBA History

The Youngest MVP Ever

Did you know that Ricardo Brown was the youngest player to win the MVP award in 1985 at just 28 years old? His combination of speed, shooting, and court vision made him a dominant force.

The Most MVPs in a Row

No player in PBA history has ever dominated the MVP race like June Mar Fajardo, who won six straight MVP awards from 2014 to 2019.

First MVP Winner in PBA History

The first-ever PBA MVP award was given to Bogs Adornado in 1975, setting the standard for future generations of PBA stars.

First Finals MVP in PBA History

The first Finals MVP award was officially given in 1996, with Jojo Lastimosa of the Alaska Milkmen winning the prestigious honor.

PBA All-Star 2025

The Legacy of PBA’s Greatest Players

The PBA MVP and Finals MVP awards are more than just trophies; they represent the legacy of the greatest players to ever step foot on a PBA court. From the dominance of June Mar Fajardo and Alvin Patrimonio to the clutch performances of LA Tenorio and Mikey Williams, these awards have honored the very best in Philippines basketball.

Whether it’s an established legend winning another title or an underdog proving their worth, the MVP races and Finals performances continue to excite fans and inspire future generations of Filipino basketball players.

As the PBA evolves, new heroes will rise, and more unforgettable moments will be made. Who will be the next MVP or Finals MVP? Only time will tell!

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