San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo in action against the Phoenix Fuelmasters in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup, August 21, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. PBA Images

MANILA -- June Mar Fajardo showed why he deserves to be the league's Most Valuable Player after leading San Miguel Beer to a strong start in the first week of the PBA Governors' Cup.

Fajardo powered the Beermen to a 2-0 startin the conference, with his performances earning him the nod as the season's first PBA Press Corps Player of the Week.

This is the 13th time that Fajardo -- now an eight-time MVP -- got the citation from the press corps in his 12-year career.

"Bagong conference, bagong season, pero same goal pa rin which is makalaro sa Finals at makakuha sana ng championship," said Fajardo, whose Beermen lost to the Meralco Bolts in last season's Philippine Cup Finals.

Fajardo averaged 25.0 points on a blistering 71% shooting clip in their first two games, along with 17.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.5 steals.

READ: San Miguel overcomes Phoenix behind JMF, Perez's heroics

READ: Jordan Adams erupts for 50 as San Miguel dismantles Blackwater

For the period of August 18 and 25, San Miguel overpowered both Phoenix and Blackwater for a share of the lead in Group B.

He opened the campaign in the big league with 37 points, 24 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks as the Beermen overcame the Fuel Masters, 111-107, on Aug. 21 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Against Blackwater four days later, Fajardo tallied 13 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks, but played more of a supporting role with import Jordan Adams firing 50 as San Miguel overcame a first-half deficit and won 128-108.

The "Kraken" earned the nod over NLEX's Robert Bolick, TNT's Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana and Poy Erram and Rain or Shine rookies Felix Lemetti and Caelan Tiongson also emerged as candidates for the weekly honor given by men and women scribes covering the PBA beat.

RELATED VIDEO: