ANTIPOLO, Philippines — June Mar Fajardo has officially secured his place among the Philippine Basketball Association’s all-time scoring greats, becoming the 19th player to reach 10,000 career points.
The San Miguel Beermen center reached the historic mark at the 2:21 mark of the first quarter of his team’s October 21, 2026, Governors’ Cup showdown against the NLEX Road Warriors at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Fajardo entered the game needing just five points to join the elite club. He made history with a floater over NLEX’s Dave Marcelo, scoring his sixth point of the contest and officially crossing the 10,000-point threshold, according to Philstar.com’s report from the game.
The achievement further cements the legacy of the Cebuano star, whose career has been marked by championship success, consistent production and individual excellence.
From MVP dominance to another milestone
Fajardo is a nine-time PBA Most Valuable Player and one of the defining figures of the San Miguel Beermen dynasty. Reaching 10,000 career points places him alongside generations of celebrated players who have shaped Philippine professional basketball.
The exclusive club includes legendary scorers such as Ramon Fernandez, Alvin Patrimonio, Atoy Co, Allan Caidic, James Yap, Mark Caguioa and Jayson Castro.
Castro became the previous member of the group in May 2026, when he reached the milestone for TNT. Fajardo now becomes the latest active player to join the prestigious list, according to published reports from Philstar.com and GMA News.
The team-first decision that made his milestone more meaningful
Fajardo’s historic achievement comes after a moment that highlighted his unselfish approach to basketball.
During San Miguel’s 135-105 victory over Terrafirma on October 14, Fajardo delivered 25 points and 12 rebounds, leaving him just five points short of the milestone.
He could have returned to the court in the fourth quarter to pursue the record. However, he chose to give his teammates more playing time instead.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria said he had considered bringing Fajardo back into the game to help him reach the scoring mark, but the veteran center preferred to prioritize his teammates.
Fajardo also made clear that he was not chasing the milestone, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to become part of the PBA’s 10,000-point club.
His decision drew attention from Philippine sports outlets, including ABS-CBN Sports and Tiebreaker Times, which reported on his willingness to put the team ahead of a personal accomplishment.
That decision gave the milestone an added dimension: Fajardo was not simply accumulating points but demonstrating the leadership and team-first mindset that have helped define his career.
Why the 10,000-point milestone matters
Scoring 10,000 points in the PBA requires sustained excellence over many seasons. It reflects not just scoring ability but also longevity, consistency and the capacity to remain productive against changing opponents and generations of players.
For Fajardo, the accomplishment adds another distinction to an already decorated career with San Miguel. It also puts him in a historical group that includes some of the league’s most recognizable local stars and accomplished imports.
The milestone arrives during the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup, as San Miguel battles for a favorable position heading into the playoffs. The Beermen’s matchup against NLEX also carried implications for the race for the top spot in Group A.
Fajardo’s achievement is therefore both a personal landmark and a significant moment for one of the PBA’s most successful franchises.
What comes next for the Kraken?
With the 10,000-point barrier behind him, attention now turns to what Fajardo and San Miguel can accomplish in the postseason.
The milestone adds to his legacy, but the Beermen’s ultimate objective remains competing for another championship. Fajardo’s scoring, rebounding and presence in the paint will remain central to those ambitions.
His entry into the 10,000-point club is a reminder of his enduring impact on Philippine basketball. Yet the story behind the achievement may be just as memorable as the number itself: a superstar who had the chance to chase an individual record, chose to give his teammates more time on the floor, and reached the historic mark in the next game.
For San Miguel fans, the question now is whether another personal milestone will be followed by another championship run.
