We are now a week and change into the extended break of the PBA Governors’ Cup, which means now is a great time to look back at the tournament’s first half. In particular, it’s the perfect opportunity to review the top performers so far this conference, mostly because there have been plenty of standouts to speak of. That being the case, some standouts stood out more than the others, and they’re the ones who are getting a special mention in this rarefied list.
So, without further ado, here are the best of the best in the PBA Governors’ Cup so far:
Justin Arana (Converge FiberXers)
21.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 62.0% FG
Arana started out the PBA Governors’ Cup like a house on fire, at one point recording back-to-back 30-point games in Converge’s 3-0 start. He has since cooled down but is still arguably in the midst of his best conference yet.
Adrian Nocum (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
17.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 37.5% 3PT
Nocum was thrust into more of a playmaker role in this PBA Governors’ Cup after Rain or Shine traded Gian Mamuyac to the Phoenix Fuel Masters. Tasked with more responsibilities and a bigger role, the Tondo-born guard has responded with what is likely the best stretch of his pro career thus far, scoring on his own and dishing dimes as well.
Don Trollano (San Miguel Beermen)
17.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 50.9% FG
Trollano is the eighth-best scorer of the PBA Governors’ Cup so far, and he’s doing it while playing only 24 minutes a game as San Miguel’s sixth man. What’s even scarier is the efficiency with which he’s punishing defenses, as he’s shooting 50.9% from the field overall and 44.4% from distance.
Rey Nambatac (TNT Tropang 5G)
19.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 84.9% FT
With all of TNT’s injuries this conference, Chot Reyes has had to put the ball more in Nambatac’s hands—and it’s one of the biggest reasons the Tropa is at an even 4-4 despite all of their initial adversities. StingRey is having his best conference since last season’s Commissioner’s Cup and has shown his Finals MVP pedigree more than once this tournament.
Robert Bolick (NLEX Road Warriors)
17.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 7.6 APG
Bolick’s singular brilliance is still unmatched in the PBA, but what makes this version of Berto so superb is his willingness to let his teammates shine. Bolick is, put simply, doing a lot of everything for NLEX and is taking charge when the game is on the line.
Zavier Lucero (Magnolia Hotshots)
15.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.3 BPG
Lucero’s 15.1 points per game is gravy in many ways because his true value is on defense. The former UP Fighting Maroon is making a case—again—that he’s the league’s top and most versatile defender, as he’s the only player in the PBA Governors’ Cup averaging at least a steal and a block per game.
Schonny Winston (NLEX Road Warriors)
17.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 49.6% FG
Winston has always been known as a smooth scorer, and he’s doing plenty of scoring in the PBA Governors’ Cup. But, more than that, he’s been showing the full breadth of his game, chipping in at every department, including defense, and slowly turning into Bolick’s second star.
Justine Baltazar (Converge FiberXers)
14.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 53.3% 3PT
Baltazar has flown under the radar in this PBA Governors’ Cup, but he has quietly put together a stellar all-around campaign built on defensive versatility and efficient scoring. He’s been overshadowed by Arana, and yet he’s just as important to Converge’s push towards the playoffs.
