“Sa iyo na yung BPC, sa akin na yung championship.”
Like a king without a crown, June Mar Fajardo, the reigning Most Valuable Player, who is still in search for his first ever championship, made it known to Calvin Abueva and the public in general his desire of winning his first ever title.
How hungry the 6-foot-10 San Miguel Beer slotman can be seen during the finals press conference held at the Sambokojin Restaurant in Libis, Quezon City.
Fajardo and Abueva are two of the top contenders for the Best Player of the Conference of the Philippine Cup.
The Cebuano slotman has been the league leader in points, rebounds, shot blocks and field goal percentage. His average of 19.20 points, 12.467 rebounds, 2.067 blocks and 57.14-percent stint from the field puts him in a solid running for a possible back-to-back Best Player of the Conference award in the Philippine Cup and could join the company of Nelson Asaytono as the only other player to win the prestigious award in successive seasons.
Abueva isn’t playing bad either. The Beast is the top five of the scoring average with 15.82 ppg and third in rebounding (11.824). Among the four players averaging in double-doubles, Abueva is the smallest player, standing not taller than 6-foot-2.
But more than the statistics, it was the maturity displayed by Abueva – except for that bonehead move he did in Game 4 of the semifinals series against Rain or Shine – which has been the biggest difference this season for Alaska.
Photo by Nuki Sabio
