Fajardo leads BPC race through PBA PH Cup quarters

MANILA, Philippines – Despite San Miguel Beer skipping the quarterfinals, center June Mar Fajardo still leads the race for the Best Player of the Conference after the first round of the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.

The reigning back-to-back MVP currently leads his competition with 45.6 statistical points. His averages are 23.1 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks.

Fajardo, 26, created some separation from perennial rival Greg Slaughter, who is in second place with 43.2 statistical points.

Barangay Ginebra’s 7-footer was neck-and-neck with Fajardo at the end of the eliminations with 45.3 SPs, but his numbers dropped after the quarterfinals where the Gin Kings were ousted in the knockout phase.

Slaughter still leads the league in rebounding with 14.4 a game. 

Fajardo, who won the Best Player plum twice including the last two All-Filipino conferences, can still improve his SPs as San Miguel takes on Rain or Shine in the best-of-7 semifinals.

Globalport’s Stanley Pringle is in third place with 38.1 statistical points and is followed by NLEX’s Sean Anthony (36.6 SPs) and Asi Taulava (35.5 SPs).

Pringle’s backcourt partner Terrence Romeo is in 7th place with 35.15 SPs but is the league’s top scorer with 23.9 points a game. 

Globalport is playing against Alaska in the Philippine Cup semifinals.

Statistical points are 40% of the criteria for the Best Player of the Conference award.

Meanwhile, the top rookie so far is Troy Rosario, the 2015 draft’s second overall pick, with 27.4 SPs. He is trailed by the top overall pick Moala Tautuaa, also from the Texters, with 22.8 SPs. – Rappler.com