Fajardo or Thompson?
Just two down to earth players soaring high in the battle for the top plum.
June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson were already thankful just to be recognized and be considered for the Season 47 Most Valuable Player plum to be handed out in the Leo Awards on Sunday, Nov. 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The two are crowding each other in the MVP race with Fajardo seemed to be having the slight edge with 40.2 statistical points built on averages of 17.7 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks last season.
More than that, he towed San Miguel to a Philippine Cup title after also winning the Best Player of the Conference.
“Thankful ako na nasa listahan ako ng MVP race. Di ko naman ineexpect yun kasi nanggaling ako ng injury ngayon nasali uli ako sa MVP candidates,” said the Cebuano gentle giant who already has six MVP titles tucked under his belt.
Thompson was third in the stats race with 35.5 SPS but is also making a case for a possible back-to-back award after winning the BPC plum in the Commissioner’s Cup along with the title after a thrilling best-of-seven affair against Bay Area Dragons.
Also in the conversation is Christian Standhardinger who was the BPC of the Governors’ Cup and fourth in the stats race, and CJ Perez who didn’t win any BPC award but contended for it in all of the three conferences while finishing second to the stats race.
Thompson, for his part, knew that it would be hard to win a second consecutive MVP plum with Fajardo healthy and back to his old, dominant form.
“Unang una masarap sa pakiramdam na makuha kung sakaling mag back to back, but like I said 'nung nag-mvp ako kasi di healthy si June Mar, pero kapag nandyan si June Mar [at] healthy talagang mahirap makipagsabayan sa award na MVP,” said Thompson.
“Sa akin lang malaking bagay sa akin na mapasama ulit sa pagpipilian yun na yung pinaka-best form nun looking forward na ako sa paparating na season,” added the reigning MVP.
Aside from the MVP award, the four are already in consideration for the Mythical Team to be handed out along with Rookie of the Year Award, Most Improved Player and All-defensive team.