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For Asi Taulava, June Mar Fajardo is 'GOAT of PH basketball'

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/sports/05/20/june-mar-fajardo.jpg"/><figcaption>June Mar Fajardo (15) is guarded by Asi Taulava (88) during an All-Star Game in this file photo. PBA Media Bureau</figcaption></figure></div> MANILA, Philippines -- NLEX center Asi Taulava was quick to answer when asked who would win a match-up between him and San Miguel&#x27;s June Mar Fajardo, if both players are in the prime of their basketball careers.&quot;Oh, June Mar,&quot; Taulava said without a second thought, during a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJqA2GbMVGA&amp;t=1820s">online basketball seminar</a>.Fajardo, the only six-time Most Valuable Player in the history of the PBA, is &quot;light years ahead,&quot; Taulava conceded.&quot;None of us big guys can ever compare to June Mar,&quot; he said. &quot;You know, MVP speaks for itself.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/nba/news/2020/05/19/lebron-james-quot-definitely-giving-season-quot-68277">READ: LeBron James ‘definitely not giving up on the season’</a></li></ul>Taulava is no slouch, having won MVP honors in 2003 when he averaged 23.4 points and 13.7 rebounds per game for Talk &#x27;N Text. His longevity is what sets him apart: in 2013, he returned to the PBA after a stint in the ASEAN Basketball League, and in 2014, he gave Fajardo a run for his money in the MVP race.Fajardo still emerged as the winner that year, earning the first of six straight trophies. Afterward, Taulava had nothing but praise for the &quot;Kraken.&quot; According to a report from <a href="https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/asi-taulavas-fearless-forecast-fajardo-bound-to-become-one-of-greatest-players-in-pba-history">Spin</a>, Taulava predicted at the time that Fajardo &quot;should become one of the best players this country will ever produce.&quot;&quot;He can perhaps one day see himself flaunting not just one, not just two, but four or maybe more of that MVP trophy,&quot; Taulava said back in 2014. After six years, it&#x27;s safe to say that Fajardo has exceeded Taulava&#x27;s high expectations.&quot;I think he is the GOAT of Philippine basketball,&quot; Taulava said. <div>(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>).</div>

NLEX center Asi Taulava was quick to answer when asked who would win a match-up between him and San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo, if both players are in the prime of their basketball careers.

NLEX center Asi Taulava was quick to answer when asked who would win a match-up between him and San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo, if both players are in the prime of their basketball careers.