Bolick keeps lead in Best Player race
ROBERT Bolick of NLEX remains on top of the PBA Philippine Cup Best Player statistical race, but has top rookie pick Stephen Holt of Terrafirma, June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel and Christian Standhardinger of Barangay Ginebra within striking distance in the latest statistical race released by the league at the end of the elimination round.
The explosive NLEX guard keeps the top spot in the Best Player of the Conference race after amassing 44.5 statistical points (SP) on the strength of his tournament-best averages of 27.4 points and 7.0 assists per game in the elimination round.
Rising to the second spot in the stats race is the 6-foot-4 Holt with his 41.5 SPs.
The former St. Mary’s College standout shot his way up to the No. 2 spot behind his all-around average of 21.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 2.5 steals per game.
The former NBA G-League guard has been one of the reasons why Terrafirma managed to end its eight-year playoff drought as the Dyip outlasted the NorthPort Batang Pier, 104-96, in their knockout match to secure the No. 8 seed in the quarterfinals last Wednesday.
Hanging within the coattails of Holt is the 6-foot-10 Fajardo, a seven-time league Most Valuable Player, who has 41.0 SPs.
The San Miguel star center has been a tower of strength for the Beermen, thanks to his league-best 14.1 rebounds per contest while averaging 16.0 points and 2.8 assists.
His consistent showing has powered the all-time winningest PBA ballclub to the top seed in the playoffs where the Beermen only need to beat the Dyip once come Saturday in the quarterfinals to advance to the best-of-five semifinal series.
Not far behind is the 6-foot-8 Standhardinger at No. 4 with 38.9 SPs after averaging 19.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in the elims.
His energy, consistency and hustle has helped Ginebra corner the No. 2 seed in the quarterfinals where they face off with long-time rival Magnolia on Saturday.
San Miguel Beer’s athletic wingman CJ Perez occupies fifth spot with 38.7 SPs, thanks to his steady averages of 21.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Sliding from No. 2 to No. 6 is NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino, who has 36.4 SPs. The Batang Pier failed to make the playoffs after a blistering start in the conference.
Rounding out the top 10 are TNT gunner Calvin Oftana (35.5), Rain or Shine’s Santi Santillan (34.8) and Beau Belga (33.7), and Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang (32.6).