June Mar Fajardo continues to lead the Best Player of the Conference race, even though San Miguel Beer was eliminated in the PBA Governors Cup semifinals. The eight-time MVP tops the individual standings with 44.8 statistical points, thanks to his impressive averages of 21.0 points, a league-best 16.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 blocks over 21 playoff games.
Despite San Miguel’s exit after a 4-2 series loss to Barangay Ginebra Kings, the 34-year-old Fajardo, a ten-time BPC award winner, remains the frontrunner for the conference’s highest individual honor. Competing for the award are Arvin Tolentino (Northport), Robert Bolick (NLEX), San Miguel teammate CJ Perez, and Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson.
Tolentino holds the second spot with 37.5 statistical points, leading the league in scoring with 23.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, despite Northport missing the playoffs. Bolick ranks third with 35.9 points per game, leading the tournament in assists with an 8.2 average, alongside his 19.1 points and 6.2 rebounds.
Perez is fourth with 33.9 points per game (17.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals), followed by Aguilar (18.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists) and Thompson (13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.2 steals), both tied at fifth with 32.2 points per game.
In the Best Import of the Conference race, TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson leads with 57.4 points per game, boasting averages of 28.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.9 blocks. Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra follows with 50.9 points per game, averaging 28.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks.
The finals, starting Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, will see Hollis-Jefferson and Brownlee play pivotal roles for their teams. EJ Anosike (San Miguel) and Aaron Fuller (Rain or Shine) complete the Best Import candidates list. The BPC and Best Import awards will be presented in Game 4 of the title series on November 6 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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