Christian Standhardinger is truly defining the next-man-up mentality.
The Fil-German bruiser has done an exceptional job stepping up for the injured Japeth Aguilar. He’s performed so well that he has emerged on top of the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Best Player of the Conference race by eliminations’ end.
He accumulated 42.8 statistical points (SPs) built around solid numbers of 22.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in nine games played. Moreover, his performances have helped the reigning champions capture the no. 3 seed heading into the quarterfinals.
This marks the second time that Standhardinger is in strong contention for the conference’s highest individual honor since bagging the award in the 2019 edition of the tournament while he was still with NorthPort.
The 2022 Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP is followed by the San Miguel tandem of CJ Perez (39.3 SPs), and June Mar Fajardo (37.6), respectively.
Fajardo, whos’ leading the league in rebounds with 12.8, is in danger of falling out of the race as he’s out of the conference due to an MCL injury.
TNT Tropang Giga’s young stars in Calvin Oftana and Roger Pogoy round out the Top 5 with 36.1 and 35.8 SPs, respectively.
Jamie Malonzo (33.5sps), scoring leader Juami Tiongson of with 33.3 sps and a league-best 25.6 points average, Maverick Ahanmisi 33.27sps), Calvin Abueva (32.6sps), and Mikey Williams (32.5sps) complete the Top 10.
Rookie Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser of NLEX, who has a league-high 2.1 blocks per outing, ranks no. 11 with 31.6 SPs as he’s tied with reigning league MVP Scottie Thompson, the Commissioner’s Cup BPC.
Leading the Best Import race, meanwhile, is Tropang Giga’s Rondae Hollis Jefferson with 59.0 SPs built around averages of 31.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.4 assists, and a block in five games played.
