Calvin Abueva and newcomer Mikey Williams are figuring in a tight battle for the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference award.
Both players remain the top two cagers in the race at the end of the quarterfinals, with the former BPC still ahead with 36.4 statistical points.
Abueva has averages of 15.8 points and 10.7 rebounds – numbers that improved following Magnolia’s quarters sweep of Rain or Shine. There, he collected 20 and 19 in the Game Two clincher. He also has 1.3 blocks and 0.9 steals.
He’s now 1.5 SPs ahead of the TNT rookie, who has 35.0 SPs with per-game norms of 17.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals after helping the Tropang Giga eliminate erstwhile reigning champs Barangay Ginebra.
The Hotshots will battle the second-seeded Meralco. Meanwhile, the Texters will take on San Miguel Beer in the best-of-seven semis.
Photo by PBA Images
Still at third in the race is NorthPort star Robert Bolick, who has 33.7 SPs to his name. However, the Batang Pier’s exit after bowing to the Beermen 0-2 has hurt his chances of winning the coveted individual award.
Meanwhile, some players have climbed up the ranks and are expected to give the frontrunners a tight competition since they’ll also be in the semis.
Photo by PBA Images
Previously at fifth, Abueva’s teammate Ian Sangalang is now at fourth with 32.3 SPs, With averages of 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, the 6-foot-7 big man has had double-doubles in six of their last seven games.
Photo by PBA Images
At no. 5 now is new SMB guard CJ Perez, who’s averaging 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals a night for 31.5 SPs. He helped the Beermen return to the semis after missing the bus last season.
Just below the former Rookie of the Year is teammate Arwind Santos, The former league MVP has 30.5 SPs, further proof that he has yet to slow down even if he’s one of the older guys in the league at 40.
Batang Pier wingman Jamie Malonzo is at seventh with 30.2 SPs, indeed a huge drop after placing fourth previously.
Reigning six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo has also climbed up the rankings, as he’s now at eighth with 29.8 SPs.
Completing the Top 10 are Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger and Phoenix Super LPG’s Jason Perkins with 29.5 and 29.4 SPs, respectively.
