MANILA, Philippines -- The winning run of Air21 in the Smart PBA Philippine Cup could serve Arwind Santos well on a personal level.

Santos topped the statistical points race at the end of the season-opening tournament’s elimination round by figuring prominently in five key statistical departments to be the leading contender for Best Player of the Conference award.

But all his efforts could go for naught if the Express fail to advance to the playoffs proper and he eventually lands out of the Top 5 of the race before the championship series.

“For me, all of this is part of my job,” the 6-foot-4 Santos said in Filipino, moments before the tip-off of the Express’ KO game against Coca-Cola Sunday night for the right to make the quarterfinals at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Based on the official stats released before the game, the Air21 forward averaged 20.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks in 18 games in the first round for a 37.7-SP average.

“My teammates and I want to prove to everyone that we can play on both ends of the floor,” said Santos, who was picked second overall behind eventual Rookie of the Year Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty last year.

“We want to prove wrong a lot of people who say that we cannot win because we are an inferior team,” he said.

Air21 already owns the distinction of dethroning the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings after knocking out the defending champions with a masterful conquest two nights ago.

That certainly speaks a lot of the talent of Air21 which is considered “bottom-heavy,” if you may, since the Express are the only team without a legitimate threat in the middle.

Running second behind the former Far Eastern University ace is reigning MVP Willie Miller of Alaska with 36.4 points, with Williams running third at 36.2 and Asi Taulava of Coca-Cola in fourth with 35.7 points in 20 games.

Rounding out the top 5 was Purefoods cornerstone Kerby Raymundo, who averaged 14.8 points, 10.8 boards and 3.7 assists.

The official candidates for the Best Player of the Conference will be the top five statistical points leaders after the semifinals, and Santos could very well seal his inclusion in this roster if the Express hold it together long enough and crash the semifinals at the very least.

James Yap, the other half of Purefoods’ 1-2 punch, was in sixth place with a 32.6 average, Cyrus Baguio of Red Bull was seventh with 32.1, Jay-Jay Helterbrand of Barangay Ginebra eighth at 31.73, Magnolia’s Danny Seigle ninth at 31.67 and Nic Belasco of Welcoat 10th at 31.5.

Energetic guard Ryan Reyes of Sta. Lucia led the rookies’ race after averaging 27.3 statistical points, with No. 1 pick Joe Devance of Welcoat in second with 1.3 points behind and Ronjay Buenafe of Coca-Cola third at 24.0.