MANILA, Philippines-Barangay Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger and TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson have emerged as early leaders for the top honors of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Gin Kings’ tireless forward is leading the Best Player of the Conference race with 42.8 statistical points, while the NBA veteran is pacing the Best Import derby with 59.0.
Standhardinger has been on a tear for the defending champions, averaging 22.9 points and 10.2 rebounds while filling the gaps left by the absence of Japeth Aguilar.
The Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP is followed by San Miguel standouts CJ Perez (39.3 SPs) and June Mar Fajardo (37.6) at second and third. TNT’s Calvin Oftana surprises as fourth (36.1) while the club’s leading scorer is ranked fifth in the tally that covers the end of the elimination phase.
Banished Converge import Jamaal Franklin and Magnolia’s Antonio Hester are tied at No. 2 among the reinforcements with 56 SPs. NorthPort’s Kevin Murphy is 4th with 53.3 while San Miguel Beer’s Cameron Clark is 5th with 51.8.
Ginebra’s Jamie Malonzo, Terrafirma’s Juami Tiongson, Converge’s Maverick Ahanmisi, Magnolia’s Calvin Abueva and TNT’s Mikey Williams—in that order—comprise the bottom half of the top 10.
Scottie Thompson, the reigning MVP and Governors’ Cup BPC is tied at 11th with NLEX’s rookie Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
The beloved Justin Brownlee, meanwhile, is sixth in the Best Import race.
The standings are contingent on the teams that will advance deeper into the playoffs.