Summary
✓Reviewed by James CarterMinutes after the Game 7 buzzer on June 17, 2026, Scottie Thompson raised a newly renamed trophy at the center of Araneta Coliseum following Barangay Ginebra's 88-76 win over TNT. For many first-time viewers, a question came...
Table of contents
- 1 What the PBA Finals MVP is and why it matters
- 1.1 A brief history of the award
- 2 When the PBA Finals MVP is given: the exact moment
- 3 How the awardee is chosen: the PBA Press Corps process
- 4 2026 winners: Fajardo and Thompson
- 5 Difference between Finals MVP and regular-season MVP
- 6 Why the trophy was renamed in 2026
- 7 List of recent Finals MVPs
- 8 Limitations of available data
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
- 9.1 When exactly is the PBA Finals MVP given?
- 9.2 Who chooses the PBA Finals MVP?
- 9.3 Can an import win Finals MVP?
- 9.4 What is the Ramon Fernandez Trophy?
- 9.5 What is the difference between Finals MVP and the regular PBA MVP?
- 9.6 How many times has Scottie Thompson won Finals MVP?
- 10 Conclusion: key takeaways
- 11 Sources
- 12 2026 winners: Fajardo and Thompson
- 13 Difference between Finals MVP and regular-season MVP
- 14 Why the trophy was renamed in 2026
- 15 List of recent Finals MVPs
- 16 Limitations of available data
- 17 Frequently Asked Questions
- 17.1 When exactly is the PBA Finals MVP given?
- 17.2 Who chooses the PBA Finals MVP?
- 17.3 Can an import win Finals MVP?
- 17.4 What is the Ramon Fernandez Trophy?
- 17.5 What is the difference between Finals MVP and the regular PBA MVP?
- 17.6 How many times has Scottie Thompson won Finals MVP?
- 18 Conclusion: key takeaways
- 19 Sources
Minutes after the Game 7 buzzer on June 17, 2026, Scottie Thompson raised a newly renamed trophy at the center of Araneta Coliseum following Barangay Ginebra’s 88-76 win over TNT. For many first-time viewers, a question came up: when is the pba finals mvp given and how is the awardee chosen? This article answers both questions in detail, based on the award’s official history and the latest developments in 2026.
What the PBA Finals MVP is and why it matters
The PBA Finals Most Valuable Player is an award given to the Filipino player who delivers the best performance throughout a conference finals series of the Philippine Basketball Association. According to the PBA Finals MVP entry on Wikipedia, it has been given out since the 1996 All-Filipino Cup finals, making the award nearly 30 years old counting from the first time it was awarded.
It’s important to note that the Finals MVP is different from the regular-season PBA MVP award, which is given at the end of each conference based on the entire eliminations round rather than just the finals series.
A brief history of the award
Since its establishment in 1996, the Finals MVP has served as the league’s way of recognizing the player with the biggest role in securing the championship. The biggest change in the award’s long history came in 2026, when the league announced it would rename the trophy in honor of Ramon Fernandez, one of the greatest players in PBA history. According to a report by GMA News in January 2026, Fernandez recorded 19 PBA titles and four PBA MVP awards over his career, which is why the Press Corps chose to honor him.
When the PBA Finals MVP is given: the exact moment
The direct answer to when the PBA Finals MVP is given: the award is presented immediately after the title-clinching game of the finals series, usually during the on-court awarding ceremony right after the final buzzer. It is not held until the next day or a separate awards night.
Two clear examples of this happened in 2026:
- In the 2026 Philippine Cup, the award was given to June Mar Fajardo on February 1, 2026, after San Miguel claimed its 31st overall title, according to Tiebreaker Times.
- In the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup, the award was given to Scottie Thompson on June 17, 2026, immediately after Ginebra’s Game 7 win over TNT.
On a related note, if you want to follow the full schedule of upcoming games even before the finals, there is a guide on how to track live PBA standings and schedules daily.
How the awardee is chosen: the PBA Press Corps process
The answer to how the awardee is chosen rests with a group, not a single person or the league itself. According to Wikipedia, the award is chosen by the PBA Press Corps, the association of journalists who regularly cover the league. This differs from the regular-season MVP award, which has more formal weighted criteria (45% statistical points, 30% media votes, plus additional votes from players and the Commissioner’s Office, according to the same Wikipedia source) — for the Finals MVP, the Press Corps votes directly based on their observations throughout the series.
In practice, voters look at several factors:
- Overall statistical output across the entire finals series (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks)
- Role in clutch moments and in the team’s wins in decisive games
- Being a Filipino/local player — imports are not eligible
- Leadership and overall impact on the team’s entire finals campaign, not just one game
It’s worth emphasizing: the award is exclusively for local players. No matter how good an import is throughout the series, they cannot become Finals MVP, according to the award’s own definition on Wikipedia.
As future Finals MVPs raise this trophy, may they remember that greatness is measured not only in statistics or championships, but in character, dedication, and love for the game.
2026 winners: Fajardo and Thompson
Two different types of Finals MVP campaigns played out in 2026, and both shed light on how the Press Corps actually measures performance.
According to a report by Sunstar, Fajardo was considered a unanimous choice for Finals MVP after his series averages in the Philippine Cup, becoming the first-ever recipient of the Ramon Fernandez Trophy. Meanwhile, according to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Thompson won his third Finals MVP after helping Ginebra defeat TNT in Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Notably, the highest scorer doesn’t always win Finals MVP. Thompson showed that all-around contribution — rebounds, assists, and leadership — can be weighed more heavily by the Press Corps than pure scoring alone, especially when a player is the one driving the team to victory in the most crucial moments.
Difference between Finals MVP and regular-season MVP
New fans often confuse these two awards. Here’s a comparison:
| Aspect | Finals MVP | Regular-Season MVP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of evaluation | Only one conference’s finals series | The entire conference eliminations round |
| Who chooses | PBA Press Corps | Statistical points, media, players, Commissioner’s Office |
| When it’s given | Immediately after the title-clinching game | At the end of the conference, separate from the finals |
| Trophy name (2026) | Ramon Fernandez Trophy | No new name reported |
This detail matters because a player could conceivably win the regular-season MVP without winning Finals MVP, and vice versa, since each has a different scope of evaluation.
Why the trophy was renamed in 2026
According to a report by GMA News in January 2026, the PBA Press Corps decided to name the Finals MVP trophy after Ramon Fernandez in honor of the legacy he left behind in the league. The move aims to highlight not just statistics, but also the character and dedication of every player who aspires to become a future Finals MVP.
Amid these changes in the PBA, Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign on the international stage also continues to develop. If you’re interested in the national team, there’s a detailed breakdown of the Gilas Pilipinas roster for the 2026 FIBA Qualifiers you can read.
List of recent Finals MVPs
For a clearer picture of the results under the new system, here are the recent winners based on available reports:
| Year | Conference | Awardee | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Season finals (before the new name) | Jericho Cruz | San Miguel |
| 2026 | Philippine Cup | June Mar Fajardo (1st Ramon Fernandez Trophy) | San Miguel |
| 2026 | Commissioner’s Cup | Scottie Thompson (third Finals MVP) | Barangay Ginebra |
According to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jericho Cruz became Finals MVP for San Miguel in 2025 after its title-clinching win at Philsports Arena, before the trophy’s new name took effect.
Limitations of available data
There is no formally published numerical scoring system for the Finals MVP similar to the weighted criteria of the regular-season MVP (45% stats, 30% media votes, etc.). Based on available reports, additional votes from players or the Commissioner’s Office are not documented for the Finals MVP — only Press Corps voting is clearly mentioned in the sources. Should this change in the future, this article will watch for an official announcement from the league.
Meanwhile, for fans who want to track the current top players even before the next finals arrives, there is a list of the top 5 players dominating the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly is the PBA Finals MVP given?
It is given immediately after the title-clinching game of the finals series, usually during the on-court award ceremony itself. For example, the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup award was given to Thompson on June 17, 2026, right after Game 7.
Who chooses the PBA Finals MVP?
The PBA Press Corps, the group of journalists covering the league, votes and decides on the awardee, according to Wikipedia and various news reports from 2026.
Can an import win Finals MVP?
No. The award is exclusively for Filipino or local players, even if an import has better statistical output in the same series.
What is the Ramon Fernandez Trophy?
It is the new name of the Finals MVP trophy starting in 2026, honoring Ramon Fernandez, who recorded 19 PBA titles and four PBA MVP awards over his career. June Mar Fajardo became its first-ever recipient.
What is the difference between Finals MVP and the regular PBA MVP?
The Finals MVP is only for performance in one finals series and is chosen by the Press Corps, while the regular-season MVP is based on the entire conference eliminations round using weighted criteria that include statistical points and various votes.
How many times has Scottie Thompson won Finals MVP?
Three times so far, including his 2026 Commissioner’s Cup win following Ginebra’s Game 7 victory over TNT, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Conclusion: key takeaways
In short, the answer to when the PBA Finals MVP is given and how the awardee is chosen is straightforward: it is given immediately after the title-clinching game of the finals series, and it is chosen by the PBA Press Corps based on the player’s performance throughout the entire series. Since 2026, it has also been known as the Ramon Fernandez Trophy, following the league’s decision to honor the memory of the former superstar. June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson were the first two players to receive the award under its new name, each showing a different kind of dominance, from pure numbers to all-around leadership.
For fans who want to stay updated on other teams and players, there is also a related article on Kiefer Ravena’s return to the Philippine basketball scene that you might be interested in reading.
Sources
- PBA Finals Most Valuable Player award — Wikipedia — retrieved September 23, 2026
- PBA Most Valuable Player award — Wikipedia — retrieved September 23, 2026
- Scottie Thompson wins third and sweetest PBA Finals MVP award — Philippine Daily Inquirer — retrieved September 23, 2026
- PBA: After challenging series, Finals MVP award just a bonus for Scottie Thompson — GMA News — retrieved September 23, 2026
- PBA Finals MVP award named after Ramon Fernandez — GMA News — retrieved September 23, 2026
- Scottie Thompson describes latest Ginebra title as hardest to win — Philippine Daily Inquirer — retrieved September 23, 2026
- ‘Surprised’ Thompson cherishes third Finals MVP plum — Manila Bulletin — retrieved September 23, 2026
- Jericho Cruz is PBA Finals MVP for San Miguel — Philippine Daily Inquirer — retrieved September 23, 2026
- June Mar Fajardo sets PBA Finals MVP record, receives first-ever Ramon Fernandez award — Tiebreaker Times — retrieved September 23, 2026
- Fajardo wins first Ramon Fernandez PBA Finals MVP — Sunstar — retrieved September 23, 2026
- Overall statistical output across the entire finals series (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks)
- Role in clutch moments and in the team’s wins in decisive games
- Being a Filipino/local player — imports are not eligible
- Leadership and overall impact on the team’s entire finals campaign, not just one game
It’s worth emphasizing: the award is exclusively for local players. No matter how good an import is throughout the series, they cannot become Finals MVP, according to the award’s own definition on Wikipedia.
As future Finals MVPs raise this trophy, may they remember that greatness is measured not only in statistics or championships, but in character, dedication, and love for the game.
2026 winners: Fajardo and Thompson
Two different types of Finals MVP campaigns played out in 2026, and both shed light on how the Press Corps actually measures performance.
According to a report by Sunstar, Fajardo was considered a unanimous choice for Finals MVP after his series averages in the Philippine Cup, becoming the first-ever recipient of the Ramon Fernandez Trophy. Meanwhile, according to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Thompson won his third Finals MVP after helping Ginebra defeat TNT in Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Notably, the highest scorer doesn’t always win Finals MVP. Thompson showed that all-around contribution — rebounds, assists, and leadership — can be weighed more heavily by the Press Corps than pure scoring alone, especially when a player is the one driving the team to victory in the most crucial moments.
Difference between Finals MVP and regular-season MVP
New fans often confuse these two awards. Here’s a comparison:
| Aspect | Finals MVP | Regular-Season MVP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of evaluation | Only one conference’s finals series | The entire conference eliminations round |
| Who chooses | PBA Press Corps | Statistical points, media, players, Commissioner’s Office |
| When it’s given | Immediately after the title-clinching game | At the end of the conference, separate from the finals |
| Trophy name (2026) | Ramon Fernandez Trophy | No new name reported |
This detail matters because a player could conceivably win the regular-season MVP without winning Finals MVP, and vice versa, since each has a different scope of evaluation.
Why the trophy was renamed in 2026
According to a report by GMA News in January 2026, the PBA Press Corps decided to name the Finals MVP trophy after Ramon Fernandez in honor of the legacy he left behind in the league. The move aims to highlight not just statistics, but also the character and dedication of every player who aspires to become a future Finals MVP.
Amid these changes in the PBA, Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign on the international stage also continues to develop. If you’re interested in the national team, there’s a detailed breakdown of the Gilas Pilipinas roster for the 2026 FIBA Qualifiers you can read.
List of recent Finals MVPs
For a clearer picture of the results under the new system, here are the recent winners based on available reports:
| Year | Conference | Awardee | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Season finals (before the new name) | Jericho Cruz | San Miguel |
| 2026 | Philippine Cup | June Mar Fajardo (1st Ramon Fernandez Trophy) | San Miguel |
| 2026 | Commissioner’s Cup | Scottie Thompson (third Finals MVP) | Barangay Ginebra |
According to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jericho Cruz became Finals MVP for San Miguel in 2025 after its title-clinching win at Philsports Arena, before the trophy’s new name took effect.
Limitations of available data
There is no formally published numerical scoring system for the Finals MVP similar to the weighted criteria of the regular-season MVP (45% stats, 30% media votes, etc.). Based on available reports, additional votes from players or the Commissioner’s Office are not documented for the Finals MVP — only Press Corps voting is clearly mentioned in the sources. Should this change in the future, this article will watch for an official announcement from the league.
Meanwhile, for fans who want to track the current top players even before the next finals arrives, there is a list of the top 5 players dominating the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly is the PBA Finals MVP given?
It is given immediately after the title-clinching game of the finals series, usually during the on-court award ceremony itself. For example, the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup award was given to Thompson on June 17, 2026, right after Game 7.
Who chooses the PBA Finals MVP?
The PBA Press Corps, the group of journalists covering the league, votes and decides on the awardee, according to Wikipedia and various news reports from 2026.
Can an import win Finals MVP?
No. The award is exclusively for Filipino or local players, even if an import has better statistical output in the same series.
What is the Ramon Fernandez Trophy?
It is the new name of the Finals MVP trophy starting in 2026, honoring Ramon Fernandez, who recorded 19 PBA titles and four PBA MVP awards over his career. June Mar Fajardo became its first-ever recipient.
What is the difference between Finals MVP and the regular PBA MVP?
The Finals MVP is only for performance in one finals series and is chosen by the Press Corps, while the regular-season MVP is based on the entire conference eliminations round using weighted criteria that include statistical points and various votes.
How many times has Scottie Thompson won Finals MVP?
Three times so far, including his 2026 Commissioner’s Cup win following Ginebra’s Game 7 victory over TNT, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Conclusion: key takeaways
In short, the answer to when the PBA Finals MVP is given and how the awardee is chosen is straightforward: it is given immediately after the title-clinching game of the finals series, and it is chosen by the PBA Press Corps based on the player’s performance throughout the entire series. Since 2026, it has also been known as the Ramon Fernandez Trophy, following the league’s decision to honor the memory of the former superstar. June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson were the first two players to receive the award under its new name, each showing a different kind of dominance, from pure numbers to all-around leadership.
For fans who want to stay updated on other teams and players, there is also a related article on Kiefer Ravena’s return to the Philippine basketball scene that you might be interested in reading.
Sources
- PBA Finals Most Valuable Player award — Wikipedia — retrieved September 23, 2026
- PBA Most Valuable Player award — Wikipedia — retrieved September 23, 2026
- Scottie Thompson wins third and sweetest PBA Finals MVP award — Philippine Daily Inquirer — retrieved September 23, 2026
- PBA: After challenging series, Finals MVP award just a bonus for Scottie Thompson — GMA News — retrieved September 23, 2026
- PBA Finals MVP award named after Ramon Fernandez — GMA News — retrieved September 23, 2026
- Scottie Thompson describes latest Ginebra title as hardest to win — Philippine Daily Inquirer — retrieved September 23, 2026
- ‘Surprised’ Thompson cherishes third Finals MVP plum — Manila Bulletin — retrieved September 23, 2026
- Jericho Cruz is PBA Finals MVP for San Miguel — Philippine Daily Inquirer — retrieved September 23, 2026
- June Mar Fajardo sets PBA Finals MVP record, receives first-ever Ramon Fernandez award — Tiebreaker Times — retrieved September 23, 2026
- Fajardo wins first Ramon Fernandez PBA Finals MVP — Sunstar — retrieved September 23, 2026
