Parks, Pringle frontrunners for PBA Best Player award

Ray Parks and Stanley Pringle lead BPC nominees. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines — Ray Parks and Stanley Pringle are the favorites to bag the PBA Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference award.

Parks topped the statistical race and led TNT’s return to the finals, while Pringle played a vital role in Barangay Ginebra’s title run in the bubble.

With Pringle leading the way, the Gin Kings claimed the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs en route to capturing their first All-Filipino championship in 13 years.

Also in the running for the plum are the Phoenix duo of Calvin Abueva and Matthew Wright as well as TNT sniper Roger Pogoy and Terrafirma star CJ Perez.

Abueva, who came back from a 16-month suspension, came second in the stats ladder. Perez and Wright finished third and fourth, respectively, while Pogoy rounded out the top five.

Apart from stats, votes from players, media and the Commissioner’s Office will also be counted in determining the bubble BPC. Voting runs from Jan. 5 to 11.

The PBA Awards Night will be held virtually on Jan. 17 instead of the annual Leo Awards.

Due to the shortened season, the league decided not to hand out its regular awards and instead, give special honors.

Competing for the Outstanding Rookie plum are Meralco’s Aaron Black, Ginebra’s Arvin Tolentino, Terrafirma’s Roosevelt Adams, Alaska’s Barkley Ebona and Magnolia’s Aris Dionisio.

Meanwhile, NLEX’s Raul Soyud, Phoenix’s Justine Chua and Jason Perkins, Ginebra’s Prince Caperal, Rain or Shine’s Javee Mocon and Meralco’s Reynel Hugnatan are contending for Most Improved Player.

An Outstanding/Elite Five will also be named, though, there will be no Mythical Scond Team and All-Defensive Teams this season.

Abueva and Perez are also in the running for the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award along with Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson, NLEX’s Kevin Alas and Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood.