Who Won the PBA MVP 2015? Complete Results and Player Highlights Revealed

I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2015 PBA season like it was yesterday. The MVP race that year felt particularly special, with multiple players delivering career-defining performances that made the final decision incredibly difficult for voters. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've rarely seen a season where so many players genuinely deserved consideration for the league's highest individual honor. The competition was fierce, the stats were eye-popping, and the narrative surrounding each candidate made this one of the most compelling MVP races in recent memory.

When June Mar Fajardo was announced as the 2015 PBA MVP during the Leo Awards at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the atmosphere was electric. Honestly, I had chills watching the gentle giant accept his second consecutive MVP trophy. What many casual fans might not realize is that Fajardo's victory wasn't just about raw numbers—though his averages of 16.8 points and 14.2 rebounds per game were certainly impressive—but about how he completely transformed the San Miguel Beermen into championship contenders. I've always believed that the true measure of an MVP is how they elevate their team, and Fajardo did exactly that, leading San Miguel to the Philippine Cup championship while putting up monstrous numbers that reminded me of the legendary Ramon Fernandez in his prime.

The voting results revealed just how dominant Fajardo's season had been in the eyes of the voters. He accumulated a staggering 2,591 points from statistics and media votes, outpacing his closest competitor by nearly 400 points. That margin speaks volumes about how he separated himself from the pack. What I find particularly remarkable about Fajardo's 2015 campaign was his consistency—he recorded 25 double-doubles in 41 games and shot an efficient 52% from the field despite being the focal point of every opponent's defensive scheme. Having watched countless big men come through the PBA, I can confidently say that Fajardo's footwork and soft touch around the basket place him among the most skilled centers the league has ever seen.

The runner-up in that MVP race, Jayson Castro, put together what would have been a MVP-worthy season in most other years. His averages of 21.3 points and 6.1 assists per game while leading Talk 'N Text to the Commissioner's Cup championship demonstrated why many consider him the best point guard of his generation. I've always been partial to guards who can dominate games, and Castro's ability to take over fourth quarters was something special to witness. His performance in the Commissioner's Cup Finals, where he averaged 24 points against Rain or Shine, showcased his clutch gene and nearly swayed the MVP voters in his direction.

What made the 2015 MVP conversation particularly interesting was the emergence of Calvin Abueva as a legitimate candidate. The "Beast" finished third in the voting after posting 14.7 points and 11.5 rebounds per game for Alaska. While his numbers might not jump off the page compared to Fajardo's, anyone who watched Alaska games that season saw how Abueva's energy and versatility transformed their system. I've never seen a player quite like Abueva—his ability to impact games without plays being called for him reminded me of Dennis Rodman in his prime, though with significantly more offensive skill.

Thinking back to that season, I can't help but draw parallels to the dedication shown by athletes across different sports. The reference material mentioning Manny Pacquiao's grueling eight-hour journey from Los Angeles to Vegas for his fights resonates with the sacrifices PBA players make throughout their careers. Like Pacquiao braving horrendous traffic to reach the site of his biggest fights, PBA stars endure countless hours of travel, practice, and recovery to perform at their peak. Fajardo's development from a raw prospect into back-to-back MVP required similar dedication—the countless hours in the gym refining his footwork, the dietary discipline to maintain his conditioning, the mental fortitude to handle increased defensive attention. These behind-the-scenes sacrifices rarely make headlines, but they're what separate good players from MVPs.

The 2015 season also featured remarkable performances from other players who rounded out the top five in MVP voting. GlobalPort's Stanley Pringle made an immediate impact in his rookie season, showing the explosive scoring ability that would later earn him MVP honors. Meanwhile, San Miguel's Arwind Santos continued to be the versatile forward who could defend multiple positions while providing offensive firepower. Having covered the league through multiple eras, I appreciate how the 2015 season represented a passing of the torch of sorts—with established stars like Castro and Santos being challenged by the rising generation of Fajardo, Abueva, and Pringle.

Looking back seven years later, Fajardo's 2015 MVP season stands as a pivotal moment in PBA history. It marked the beginning of his unprecedented run of six consecutive MVP awards, a streak that may never be matched. More importantly, it signaled the arrival of a new dominant force in Philippine basketball—a player who would redefine the center position and set new standards for excellence. While statistics and championships provide the tangible evidence of Fajardo's greatness, what I'll always remember from that 2015 season is watching him evolve from a talented player into a truly dominant force. The MVP award that year wasn't just recognition of a single season's work—it was the coronation of a player who would shape the league for years to come.