PBA: Arvin Tolentino poised to take lead in Best Player race
Northport star Arvin Tolentino during a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against Barangay Ginebra. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino emerged as the frontrunner for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference award despite trailing San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo through the end of the eliminations.
Fajardo topped the derby with 42.0 Statistical Points, but the Beermen’s failure to make the playoffs has paved the way for Tolentino to become the favorite to win the coveted award at this point of the conference.
READ: PBA: Arvin Tolentino becomes highest-scoring local in 20 years
Tolentino had 39.9 Statistical Points after carrying NorthPort to the league’s best record at 9-3 with averages of 23.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks.
NLEX’s Robert Bolick is third at 37.1, but is also considered out of the running after the Road Warriors likewise missed the quarters following their loss to the Magnolia Hotshots in a playoff for the No. 8 seed.
TNT’s Calvin Oftana is a distant fourth (32.7) while Converge rookie Jordan Heading (32.5), NorthPort rising star Joshua Munzon (31.9), Converge’s Alec Stockton (31.2), Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson (29.5), Converge rookie Justine Baltazar (28.8) and Ginebra’s Troy Rosario completed the top 10.
SCHEDULE: 2024-2025 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals
For Tolentino to have a best chance at getting the biggest individual accomplishment of his young career, he’ll need the Batang Pier to get past the Hotshots in their quarterfinal matchup and secure a rare semis berth for the franchise.
Same goes for the three Converge players on the list after their huge contributions propelled the FiberXers close to a breakthrough final four appearance.
Fajardo’s quest for a record-extending 12th BPC virtually came to an end after the Beermen went 5-7 to miss the quarters for the first time since the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup.
