PBA: Christian Standhardinger leads Best Player race
Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger leads the Best Player of the Conference race. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—At the end of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round, Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger emerged as the leading candidate for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award.
Standhardinger averaged 17.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game which propelled him atop the BPC race after 11 games.
His efforts for the Kings resulted in Ginebra ending the eliminations with a twice-to-beat advantage in the third seed with an 8-3 record.
The Filipino-German dethroned erstwhile top swingman June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel after the latter missed games due to a hand injury sustained in December.
The seven-time MVP was the leading candidate for the Best Player of the Conference, midway through the elimination round. The injury bounced the Kraken out of the Top 5.
Creeping behind Standhardinger is Beermen CJ Perez, who posted norms of 16.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per night.
Northport’s Arvin Tolentino is third while TNT’s Calvin Oftana crept behind in the fourth spot.
CStan’s teammate Scottie Thompson completed the top five with averages of 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game.
BEST IMPORT RACE
TNT import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson. —MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
In an unexpected turn of events, TNT import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson is the leading swingman to win the Best Import of the Conference plum.
After just having played two games for the Tropang Giga, Hollis-Jefferson has averaged 42.5 points, while adding 12.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.5 steals after he replaced younger brother, Rondae.
Bennie Boatwright, San Miguel’s import, is closely behind with norms of 40.3 points and 13.3 rebounds.
Also in the race are Meralco’s Shonn Miller at third and Phoenix’s Johnathan Williams III at four.
In the Rookie of the Year race, Stephen Holt of Terrafirma and Northport’s Cade Flores are neck-and-neck with the former closely holding the lead at the top spot.
