THE premiere basketball league is back in town after nearly seven months, as the Commissioner’s Cup for the 48th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) opened yesterday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Before the inaugural showdown between the Magnolia Chicken Timplados and TNT Tropang Giga, the annual Leo trophies were awarded, with the best of the previous season being recognized.
June Mar Fajardo, the unstoppable center for the San Miguel Beermen, won the PBA Most Valuable Player Award for a record seventh time. This allowed Fajardo to distinguish himself from icons Mon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio, who both won four each in the all-time list.
After being out for quite some time due to a fractured tibia, “The Kraken” has reclaimed the highest individual distinction after averaging an astounding 17.7 PPG, 13.5 RPG, and 1.3 BPG on a total of 46 games played last season.
Since the 2013-14 season, Fajardo has won seven of the last eight MVP awards, just a year after Barangay Ginebra’s top guard Scottie Thompson won the award while recovering. Save for the 6’10” Cebuano powerhouse, no one else had won more than four.
Fajardo was joined in the Mythical First Team by CJ Perez and the Ginebra trio of Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo and Christian Standhardinger.
The Mythical Second Team was made up of Arvin Tolentino and Robert Bolick who played then for the NorthPort Batang Pier and is now with the Japanese B. League, Calvin Oftana and Mikey Williams from Tropang Giga, and Calvin Abueva from Magnolia.
Fajardo was also named to the All-Defensive team, along with Standhardinger, Cliff Hodge and Chris Newsome of the Meralco Bolts, and Jio Jalalon of Magnolia.
Justin Arana of the Converge FiberXers was crowned Rookie of the Year, while his former teammate Maverick Ahanmisi, who currently plays for the Barangay Ginebra, was named Most Improved Player. Kevin Alas of the NLEX Road Warriors earned the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award for the second year in a row.
Magnolia wins against TNT
Following the awarding and opening ceremonies, the Magnolia Chicken Timplados faced the undermanned TNT Tropang Giga and won their first conference game, 110-102.
The Chicken Timplados had a comfortable 19-point lead in the fourth quarter, 100-81, until Quincy Miller made a three-pointer, sparking the late TNT rally. Magnolia was able to keep their cool and weather the surge to clinch their first win.
It’s all thanks to Magnolia’s superhuman import Tyler Bey, who finished with 31 points and 20 rebounds to offset TNT’s import Quincy Miller’s spectacular 37-point outburst. To secure the victory, veteran point guard Mark Barroca scored 19 points, while Paul Lee finished with 17 points.
Calvin Oftana, on the other hand, backed TNT with 28 points and helped the club trim the gap in the fourth quarter. Kelly Williams contributed 14 points.
On Wednesday, the BlackWater Bossing will face Converge FiberXers at 4PM, while the Meralco Bolts will go head-to-head with Rain or Shine Elastopainters at 8PM. All games will be held in PhilSports Arena, Pasig City.
