His numbers may have declined, but Jayson Castro still clings to third spot of the highest-ranked players, in the stats derby among those who strutted their stuff in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four.
Bobby Ray Parks and CJ Perez – two super rookies – kept their one-two spots as they stalled with their 37.2 and 36.1 averages. Unfortunately, Parks’ Blackwater team failed to make it past the semis, while Perez’ Columbian Dyip side were unable to progress to the playoffs.
A major change in the Best Player of the Conference race leaderboard was another freshman – Robert Bolick of NorthPort bumped off TNT KaTropa’s RR Pogoy in the fifth spot at the close of the semis.
Through the semis, the Magic Five were Parks, Perez, Castro (33.7), June Mar Fajardo (32.9) and Bolick (32.46).
From fifth, Pogoy dropped all the way down to No. 9 with 30.8 points. Sean Anthony (32.45) is at No.6, followed by Chris Banchero (31.1), Moala Tautua (30.9), Pogoy and Matthew Wright (29.4) to round out the Magic 10.
Meanwhile, the high-octane Best Import battle between Terrence Jones and Chris McCullough provides extra excitement for the Finals.
After the semis, Jones was on top of the race with 58.2, relegating Justin Brownlee (57.5) down to second. Still, McCullough was within striking distance in third place at 55.7.
Their match-up in the best-of-seven finale could therefore be the deciding factor – at least in the balloting.
The Best Player of the Conference and the Best Import will be feted shortly before Game Four on Aug. 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jones and McCullough make a pair of two first-round NBA draftees that show their wares in PBA finals – a rarity in the local pro league.
The TNT import was the 18th overall pick by Houston in 2012. He spent four years with the Rockets, then suited up later for Milwaukee and New Orleans. He reunited with the Rockets early this year. Meanwhile, the SMB reinforcement was the 29th overall draft by Brooklyn in 2015. He later saw action for the Nets and later the Washington Wizards.
Jones embellished his brilliant showing from the elims to the semis with five triple-double jobs.
Going into the Finals, he has averages of 30.2 points, 15.7 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.8 blocks under his belt. Meanwhile, McCullough norms 33.0 markers, 13.5 boards, 3.3 dish-offs, 1.5 steals and 2.5 swats.
