The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Press Corps has officially announced that basketball legend Ramon “El Presidente” Fernandez has accepted their proposal to have the PBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy named after him.

In a heartfelt statement, Fernandez expressed his gratitude and humility, noting that the honor—coming during the PBA’s 50th Golden Anniversary—was beyond anything he had imagined.

"To have the PBA Finals MVP trophy bear my name… is something I never imagined yet will forever treasure," Fernandez said.

"This is more than a personal recognition. It is a reminder of a lifetime shaped by the league that gave me purpose, pride, and a second family."

Fernandez reflected on his decades-long career in the PBA, emphasizing the lessons he learned both on and off the court.

"The PBA was my battlefield, my classroom, and my home. It was where I learned discipline, sacrifice, resilience, teamwork, humility, and the meaning of leadership under pressure," he added.

He also paid tribute to the PBA Press Corps, under the leadership of Vladi Eduarte of Abante/Tonite, calling their recognition a “weight that goes beyond trophies”. Fernandez extended his gratitude to teammates, coaches, opponents, league officials, and fans, highlighting the collective effort behind every championship and every memory.

The new Ramon Fernandez PBA Finals MVP Trophy will serve as a lasting legacy for one of the league’s most iconic figures. Fernandez urged future recipients to remember that “greatness is not only measured by statistics or championships but by character, commitment, and love for the game."

"If this trophy inspires even one player to play harder, lead better, and honor the league that raised us, then this recognition has found its true purpose," Fernandez concluded.