Fajardo closes in on record 6th Best Player award

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

June Mar Fajardo  is drawing closer to his sixth Best Player of the Conference award as he is running away in the statistical points race released after the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.

The reigning four-time PBA Most Valuable Player is now at 44.2 statistical points (SPs) and remains the league’s top scorer at 22.9 points, second best in rebounds with 12.9 boards, second in blocks at 1.8 rejections, and 1.8 assists.

And with San Miguel firmly in the Finals, where it is eyeing its fourth straight all-Filipino title, Fajardo is a cinch to eclipse mentor Danny Ildefonso for most BPC plums at five.

Ginebra forward Japeth Aguilar moved up to second with his 36.7 SPs, a full 7.5 behind Fajardo, after netting 21.4 markers, 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks.

San Miguel teammate Arwind Santos dropped to third with 36.4 SPs, followed by GlobalPort scorer Stanley Pringle at fourth with 36.1 SPs, and Blackwater center JP Erram at fifth with 35.3 SPs.

Rounding out the top 10 are Beermen Marcio Lassiter (33.8 SPs) and Alex Cabagnot (31.5 SPs), Phoenix’s Matthew Wright and Alaska’s Calvin Abueva (31.4) which are tied for eighth, and Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson (31.2 SPs).

Kiefer Ravena also preserved his spot as the league’s top rookie with his 28.7 points, built on 15.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals to rank 15th overall.

Jason Perkins of Phoenix is at second with his 22.3 SPs, followed by Jeron Teng of Alaska (21.3 SPs), Raymar Jose of Blackwater (20.3 SPs), and Rey Nambatac of Rain or Shine (14.8 SPs).

Awarding of the Best Player of the Conference is on Game 4 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.