Before the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals began, Robert Bolick of the NLEX Road Warriors and June Mar Fajardo of the San Miguel Beermen emerged as No. 1 and No. 2 in the race for the Best Player of the Conference plum.
At the start of the quarterfinals, Bolick had accumulated an average of 41.9 statistical points (SP) on the strength of per-game averages of 20.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.8 steals. He also led NLEX to the league’s best record at 10-2. Fajardo, on the other hand, finished with 39.5 SP as he normed 16.8 points, 14.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steal.
Six games and four teams out later, the Best Player of the Conference race has taken on a different tenor.
RJ Abarrientos Might Be New Frontrunner
With NLEX and San Miguel now on vacation, Bolick’s and Fajardo’s chances of copping the highest individual accolade every conference are now virtually nil. That’s because both Bolick and Fajardo won’t be able to add to their SP anymore, and stats comprise 45% of the criteria for judging the Best Player of the Conference.
That opens the door for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel super rookie RJ Abarrientos to leapfrog Bolick and Fajardo in SP. Prior to the start of the quarters, last season’s Rookie of the Year was third in the race with 37.5 SP, thanks in large part to his league-best 21.5 points per game on top of 3.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals.
And with Ginebra playing the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, a team known for its frenetic pace and wide-open style, expect Abarrientos to post big numbers and make a move for Best Player of the Conference.
Scottie Thompson, CJ Cansino Lurking
Two other players who could rise in the Best Player of the Conference ladder are Scottie Thompson and CJ Cansino of the Meralco Bolts. Thompson, who was previously at seventh with 32.2 SP, has traditionally elevated his game in the playoffs, and a few near triple-doubles could propel him to the top or near it.
Cansino, on the other hand, sat at tenth with 29.9 SP. But if Meralco can extend its series against the TNT Tropang 5G with the young guard playing well, he may very well crowd Abarrientos and Thompson as one of the final contenders for the Best Player of the Conference plum.
With all that being said, two things are for certain: First, Fajardo won’t be winning his 14th Best Player of the Conference award. Second, Abarrientos is next in line.
