Fajardo has 10th BPC title in sight
SAN Miguel Beer’s (SMB) June Mar Fajardo is on track to become the first player in PBA history to breach the twin-digit mark in number of Best Player of the Conference (BPC) awards won.
Mr. Fajardo, owner of a record nine BPCs, leads the list of nominees shortlisted for the top individual plum of Season 48 Philippine Cup after the semifinal cutoff.
The seven-time MVP amassed 43. 12 average statistical points (SPs) built around 17.35 points, 14.59 rebounds, 3.12 assists and 1.24 blocks per outing to pace the candidates.
Challenging Mr. Fajardo for the accolade are NLEX’ Robert Bolick and Terrafirma rookie sensation Stephen Holt, who are eyeing their first BPCs, fellow SMB stalwart CJ Perez, who is gunning for back-to-back, and Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger, who is aiming for a third.
Mr. Bolick, the tournament’s premiere scorer with 28.33 and assist-issuer with 6.58, sits at a close No. 2 in the derby behind Fajardo with 43.03 SPs.
Mr. Holt occupies third with 40.85 SPs on the strength of his all-around 21.08 markers, 8.15 boards, 6.31 dimes and 2.46 steals that significantly helped the Dyip reach the quarterfinals and even drag twice-to-beat top seed SMB to a rubber match.
Mr. Perez, who scored a breakthrough BPC feat last February in the season-opening Commissioner’s Cup, runs fourth with 39.18 SPs highlighted by a team-best 20.76 markers plus 6.29 rebounds and 4.06 assists.
Mr. Standhardinger, the Season 44 and 47 Governors’ Cup BPC and the only player other than Fajardo to average double-double (21.26 points and 10.47 rebounds) in the conference, rounds out the candidates with his 39.16.
The winner will be determined by a combination of statistical points and votes from fellow players and media.
If successful, Fajardo will add to his legend as a 10-time BPC winner while creating more separation from the No. 2 in the all-time list of multiple winners – TNT’s Jayson Castro and current Converge assistant coach Danny Ildefonso, who have five apiece. — Olmin Leyba