PBA: Ginebra’s Standhardinger leads race to BPC award

AS THE  PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round concluded, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s big man Christian Standhardinger emerged as the front-runner for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award.

The 6-foot-7 big man from Ginebra finished the elimination round with 38.0 statistical points (SPs), averaging 17.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals across 11 games played.

Standhardinger has been exceptional, leading Ginebra to an 8-3 win-loss record. The squad is now headed into the playoffs, which begin on Friday, with a twice-to-beat advantage.

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The Ginebra bruiser has already surpassed June Mar Fajardo, who was the favorite candidate for the BPC award halfway through the elimination round until suffering a fractured hand that knocked him out of the top five.

Standhardinger currently has a wide lead over the other candidates. Following him is a close contest from Tops 2 to 4, with only 0.1 SPs separating each player, demonstrating how close the competition is in this conference.

San Miguel Beermen guard CJ Perez is ranked second, averaging 35.2 SPs. He averaged 16.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.1 steals while appearing in 11 games.

Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort Batang Pier is ranked third, with a close SP to second place. The former FEU Tamaraw player received 35.1 SPs after leading the league in scoring at 22.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Calvin Oftana, the primary man for TNT Tropang Giga, is fourth with 35.0 SPs and averages 21.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, trailing only Tolentino.

Scottie Thompson, Ginebra’s star and previous MVP, rounds out the top five. He holds 32.5 SPs, averaging 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game.

Photo Courtesy: PBA | Facebook

TNT’s Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, on the other side, is leading the battle for Best Import of the Conference despite just appearing and playing in two elimination round games.

‘RHJ 2.0’ has 67.5 SPs after putting up 42.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and blocking 1.0 shots in two TNT outings after replacing his brother, Rondae.

SMB’s Bennie Boatwright Jr. followed with 67.3 SPs, 40.3 points, and 13.3 rebounds. Shon Miller of the Meralco Bolts ranks third with 55.0 points and 17.3 rebounds per game.

Jonathan Williams of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters ranks fourth with 53.6 SPs, 27.0 points, and 15.6 rebounds. DeAndre Williams-Baldwin of the NLEX Road Warriors followed closely after with 53.5 SPs.

Rain or Shine Elastopainters will meet San Miguel Beermen (2x to defeat) tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. The NorthPort Batang Pier and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (2x to beat) will then face off at 8:00 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.