By REYNALD MAGALLON
Eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and TNT reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson solidified their spots atop the Best Player of the Conference and Best Import races at the end of the semifinals of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
Despite his San Miguel getting knocked out of contention for the title, Fajardo kept his lead in the statistical race, amassing 44.8 statistical points after averaging 21.0 points, league-best 16.3 rebounds along with 3.1 assists and 1.0 blocks.
Hoping to contest Fajardo, who already boasts 10 BPC awards under his belt, is second running Arvin Tolentino followed by NLEX’s Robert Bolick and another SMB player in CJ Perez.
Tolentino had 37.5 SPs as he leads the league in scoring with 23.7 points to go with his 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists although NorthPort failed to advance to the playoffs which should be a huge blow to his case.
Bolick was the leading playmaker in the conference, averaging 8.2 assists to go with 19.1 points and 6.2 rebounds to garner 35.9 SPs while Perez had 33.9 SPs after scattering 17.5 pts, 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Rounding up the Top 5 are the Ginebra duo of Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar who had similar 32.2 SPs. Thompson broke through the Top 5 after improving his numbers to 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.2 steals while Aguilar had 18.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Of the players in the Top 5, however, they are the only ones still seeing action in the Finals of the Governors’ Cup.
Meanwhile in the import race, it’s looking to be a one-on-one duel between Hollis-Jefferson and Justin Brownlee although the former has been pacing the race with 57.4 SPs behind all-around numbers of 28.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and league-bests 2.9 steals and 1.9 blocks.
Brownlee, meanwhile, came in second with 50.9 SPs after averaging 28.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 block shots.
By virtue of making it to the semifinals, EJ Anosike (44.6 SPs) of San Miguel and Aaron Fuller (41.8 SPs) of Rain or Shine complete the Best Import candidates.
