The history of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is often narrated as a succession of eras defined by singular, towering figures who fundamentally altered the tactical landscape of the league. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, that figure was Pauliasi "Asi" Taulava, a behemoth whose physical profile and Tongan heritage introduced a level of brute force previously unseen in the local circuit. A decade later, the league witnessed the rise of June Mar Fajardo, a homegrown giant from Cebu whose combination of size, finesse, and psychological consistency has rewritten the record books. However, the discourse surrounding their respective legacies is not merely a matter of numbers; it is frequently colored by the testimonies of those who played alongside and against them. Two of the most respected figures in modern Philippine basketball, Marc Pingris and Calvin Abueva, have publicly cast their votes for Taulava in their all-time starting fives, despite the overwhelming statistical evidence favoring Fajardo.
Marc Pingris, a defensive icon and a contemporary of both men, argues that Taulava was "more tested" during his prime because he competed against a specific echelon of dominant centers, including Eric Menk, Ali Peek, Dorian Peña, Rudy Hatfield, Andy Seigle, and Chris Jackson.
The Quantitative Foundations of the Kraken’s Legacy
To evaluate any claim regarding the greatest center in PBA history, one must first establish the baseline of statistical and ceremonial achievement. In this regard, June Mar Fajardo occupies a stratosphere that is currently inhabited by no other player in the league’s 49-year history. Fajardo, nicknamed "The Kraken," was the first overall pick in the 2012 PBA Draft, and his trajectory since then has been a masterclass in sustained dominance.
In comparison, Asi Taulava, despite his legendary status and unprecedented longevity of 24 seasons, won the Season MVP award exactly once, in 2003. While Pingris and Abueva suggest that Taulava's quality cannot be measured solely by trophies, the gap between one MVP and nine MVPs represents more than just a difference in media voting. It indicates a disparity in the ability to consistently remain the focal point of a winning organization. Fajardo’s career is not just a collection of individual statistics; it is a ledger of team success, anchored by 12 PBA championships and five Finals MVP awards.
Table 1: Comparative Career Honors and Accolades
| Category | June Mar Fajardo | Asi Taulava |
| Season MVP Awards | 9 (All-time Record) | 1 (2003) |
| Best Player of the Conference | 13 | 1 |
| Finals MVP Awards | 5 | 1 |
| PBA Championships | 12 | 1 |
| Mythical First Team Selections | 10 | 4 |
| Defensive Player of the Year | 1 (2015) | 1 (2009) |
| All-Defensive Team Selections | 8 | 3 |
| Career 5,000-Point Club | Yes | Yes (Reached in 2008) |
| All-Star Selections | 9 | 17 (Career Longevity) |
While Taulava’s 17 All-Star selections and his record for the most seasons played (24) are monumental, they speak primarily to his durability and professional conduct. Fajardo’s resume, conversely, speaks to a higher peak and a more profound impact on the outcome of the game. In his most dominant years, Fajardo was the definitive "answer" for the San Miguel Beermen, leading them to historic feats such as the "BEERacle," where the team recovered from a 0-3 deficit in the finals—a comeback that was only possible because of Fajardo’s presence as a stabilizing force in the paint.
Debunking the "Tested" Hypothesis: Analyzing Competition Across Eras
The core of Marc Pingris’s argument for Taulava rests on the caliber of the centers he faced during his prime. Pingris suggests that the "Fil-Am Era" was more rigorous because it featured a cluster of physical giants.
The 2000s: The Era of Strength
The individuals mentioned by Pingris—Eric Menk, Ali Peek, Dorian Peña, Rudy Hatfield, Andy Seigle, and Chris Jackson—were indeed exceptional players who defined the physicality of the 2000s. Eric Menk, "Major Pain," was a 6’6” powerhouse with a relentless motor. Ali Peek, the "Man Mountain," was a 6’4” center whose pure strength allowed him to hold ground against any seven-footer. Dorian Peña, the "Big Dawg," specialized in offensive putbacks and interior defense.
However, many of these players were "undersized" by modern standards. Ali Peek stood at 6’4”, and Dorian Peña was 6’6”. While they were physically strong, they did not possess the height or the vertical spacing capabilities of modern rivals like Greg Slaughter, who stands at a true 7’0”.
The 2010s/20s: The Era of Mobility and Athleticism
The argument that Taulava was "tested" more ignores the modern reality that Fajardo has had to battle athletes with superior size and diverse pedigrees. Three primary examples illustrate this elite competition:
Japeth Aguilar represents the pinnacle of athleticism for a long-term PBA career giant. Standing 6’9”, Aguilar possesses a high-flying game characterized by rim-rattling dunks and emphatic blocks that distinguish him from the more stationary centers of the early 2000s. An 8-time champion and the 2019 Governors' Cup Finals MVP, Aguilar’s ability to defend the rim and run the floor at his height provides a "verticality test" that Taulava rarely encountered in the "sumo wrestling" era. Fajardo’s dominance in a league featuring a mobile, athletic giant like Aguilar—who ranks 10th in all-time blocks—proves that his skills extend beyond mere size.
Christian Standhardinger is an international-caliber force who brought a European pedigree to the PBA. Born and raised in Germany, he played in the German BBL and was named the ProA MVP in 2016. Dubbed "The Bulldozer" for his brute strength, Standhardinger is a 6'9" forward-center who has won four PBA championships and two Best Player of the Conference awards. His high-motor post play, evidenced by a 33-point, 23-rebound game against NLEX, rivals the best physical efforts of the 2000s.
Kelly Williams, the 2008 Season MVP and a 10-time champion, represents elite transitional competition. Known for his hustle and high-flying athleticism, Williams overcame a life-threatening blood disorder to remain a force well into his 40s. Fajardo’s ability to win 9 MVPs in a league featuring generational talents like Williams and the "Twin Towers" pairing of Aguilar and Slaughter suggests his path has been anything but soft.
Table 2: Profiles of Noted Rivals Across Eras
| Rival | Era | Height | Primary Attribute | Accomplishment |
| Eric Menk | 2000s | 6'6" | Post Scoring / Rebounding | 2005 Season MVP |
| Ali Peek | 2000s | 6'4" | Pure Strength | All-Defensive Team |
| Dorian Peña | 2000s | 6'6" | Offensive Rebounding | 3x PBA Champion |
| Japeth Aguilar | 2010s/20s | 6'9" | Athleticism / Verticality | 2019 Finals MVP; 8x Champ |
| Kelly Williams | 2010s/20s | 6'7" | Hustle / High-Flyer | 2008 Season MVP |
| Greg Slaughter | 2010s/20s | 7'0" | Height / Post Scoring | 2017 BPC |
| C. Standhardinger | 2010s/20s | 6'9" | Brute Force / High-Motor | 2x BPC; German ProA MVP |
The Evolution of Rule Sets: From Sumo Wrestling to Mobility
One of the most profound oversights in the Pingris/Abueva assessment is the impact of rule changes on the difficulty of playing the center position.
The Hand-Checking and Physicality Paradigm
During Asi Taulava’s peak (1999–2004), the game was essentially a series of stationary wrestling matches. Defenders were permitted to use "arm bars" and hand-checking to redirect momentum.
By the time June Mar Fajardo entered his prime, the PBA had adopted stricter freedom of movement rules.
The Illegal Defense to Zone Transition
The most pivotal tactical shift occurred with the legalization of zone defense. In Taulava's early career, teams were required to play man-to-man defense, allowing him frequent one-on-one matchups in the low post.
Fajardo, however, has played his entire career in the "Zone Era". Modern defenses can "overload" the strong side, meaning Fajardo is often met by three defenders the moment he touches the ball.
Table 3: Peak Efficiency and Usage
| Metric | Asi Taulava (2003 Peak) | June Mar Fajardo (2015-16 Peak) |
| Points Per Game | 23.4 | 23.1 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 13.7 | 14.4 |
| Field Goal % | 49.3% | 57.3% |
| Free Throw % | 54.4% | 65.8% |
| Defensive Style Faced | Man-to-Man / Early Zone | Mature Zone / Strong-Side Overload |
Analyzing the "Unstoppable" Claim: The Myth vs. The Reality
Calvin Abueva’s assertion that Taulava was "nearly unstoppable" in his prime is a common sentiment.
In contrast, June Mar Fajardo has been the definition of unstoppable for over a decade. His ability to produce 20-20 games is a recurring feature; he recorded 26 points and 27 rebounds in the 2013-14 Philippine Cup and a record 31 rebounds in a single 2019 game.
The Peer Review: Taulava’s Own Words
Perhaps the most significant evidence is the perspective of Asi Taulava himself. When Pingris and Abueva argue for Taulava, they are essentially disagreeing with the man they are championing.
In a 2020 seminar, Taulava was asked who would win in a prime-to-prime matchup. Without hesitation, Taulava chose Fajardo.
The Mathematics of Efficiency: Redefining "Unstoppable"
To provide a final, logical debunking, one must look at the "math." In his 2003 MVP season, Taulava required 42.2 minutes per game to generate 23.4 points. In June Mar Fajardo’s 2015-16 peak, he generated 23.1 points in only 33.8 minutes per game.
Table 4: Per-Minute Productivity Comparison (Peak Years)
| Metric | Asi Taulava (2003) | June Mar Fajardo (2015-16) | Implication |
| Points Per Minute | 0.55 | 0.68 | Fajardo scores 23% faster. |
| Rebounds Per Minute | 0.32 | 0.42 | Fajardo rebounds 31% more. |
| True Scoring Efficiency | Lower (Poor FT%) | Higher (Above Average FT%) | Fajardo is harder to stop via fouls. |
The "unstoppable" player is the one who produces more in less time while providing the defense fewer opportunities to regain possession. By every mathematical metric, Fajardo is the more "unstoppable" offensive force.
Conclusion: The Verdict of History and Logic
The arguments of Marc Pingris and Calvin Abueva are rooted in the visceral reality of their personal experiences. To Pingris, guarding Asi Taulava felt like a more "rigorous" test because of the manual contact allowed in the 2000s. To Abueva, Taulava’s bulk made him feel like an "unstoppable" object. However, logic and data debunk these notions:
Competition Caliber: While the 2000s centers were strong, the modern era features athletes like 7'0" Greg Slaughter and the hyper-athletic Japeth Aguilar who are physically superior and more versatile.
MVP Standard: Fajardo has dominated in an era featuring all-time elites like 2008 MVP Kelly Williams and "Euro-league caliber" force Christian Standhardinger, showing he is tested by multiple generations of MVPs.
Tactical Difficulty: Fajardo has dominated in the "Zone Era," which is mathematically more difficult for a post player than the "Man-to-Man" era Taulava enjoyed.
Efficiency and Output: Fajardo produces points and rebounds at a significantly higher rate per minute and with much higher efficiency than Taulava did during his peak.
Ultimately, the most authoritative voice is Asi Taulava himself. His declaration that June Mar Fajardo is the "GOAT of Philippine basketball" serves as the definitive end to the discussion.
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