San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo scores inside the paint against Meralco in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at Araneta Coliseum. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo emerged as a strong candidate for Best Player of the Conference after leading the statistical race at the end of the Philippine Cup elimination round.
The San Miguel Beer star, who is eyeing a record-extending ninth BPC plum, leads the league with 43.2 average statistical points (SPs) with his teammate CJ Perez not far behind with 39.5 SPs.
Fajardo has been stellar in the season-opening conference, averaging 18.5 points, a league-best 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1 steal to strengthen his bid in regaining the BPC honor, which he last won in the 2019 Philippine Cup.
Perez was also impressive, norming 17.5 points, 7.6 boards, 5.9 dimes and 2.5 steals as he and Fajardo led the Beermen to a first seed finish with a 9-2 record. SMB own a twice-to-beat advantage against the No. 8 Blackwater Bossing in the quarterfinals.
Reigning PBA MVP Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra is in third with 37.9 SPs. He averaged 15.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.3 steals.
Fellow Gin King Japeth Aguilar was the No. 4 statistical leader as the fit-again forward posted 16.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and league-leading 2.5 blocks with 34.2 SPs, while Jio Jalalon, who has been Magnolia’s leader with 34.1 SPs with averages of 13.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, tournament-best 6.9 assists, and 2.5 steals, follows in fifth.
Completing the top 10 are Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger (33.3), NorthPort duo Robert Bolick (32.63) and Jamie Malonzo (32.60), NLEX’s Calvin Oftana (32.1), and TNT’s RR Pogoy (31.2).
Meanwhile, Blackwater’s second round pick Ato Ular is pacing all rookies after ranking 20th in the statistical race with 27.2 SPs.
The 13th overall pick out of Letran averaged 14.1 points and 8.1 rebounds that brought back the Bossing to the PBA playoffs as he leads fellow rookies, Justine Arana (22.1) and Jeo Ambohot (19.10) of Converge, NorthPort’s JM Calma (19.09) and Phoenix LPG’s Tyler Tio (18.2).