NORTHPORT’S Robert Bolick took pole position in the race for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) plum of the Season 46 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup.
Mr. Bolick, who’s been on a tear since returning from an ACL injury in the last Philippine Cup, compiled 39.9 statistical points (SPs) to zoom ahead of the field at the conclusion of the elimination round.
The 26-year-old ace posted league-best averages of 21.8 points, 8.8 assists and 2.2 steals plus 7.1 rebounds en route to grabbing the pace against Phoenix’s Matthew Wright (34.9 SPs), TnT’s Mikey Williams (33.9 SPs), NLEX’s Kevin Alas (33.55 SPs) and veteran teammate Arwind Santos (33.50 SPs).
Rounding out the Top 10 were Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson (33.3), San Miguel Beer’s (SMB) June Mar Fajardo (32.5), Magnolia’s Paul Lee (30.9) and Mark Barroca (30.05), and NorthPort rookie Jamie Malonzo (29.8).
The exit of the Batang Pier from the playoffs, however, may hurt Mr. Bolick’s bid for his first BPC plum in the end.
Mr. Wright and the Fuel Masters clinched the eighth and last ticket to the quarterfinals at NorthPort’s expense while Mr. Williams, the Philippine Cup Finals MVP, and Mr. Alas enjoy twice-to-beat advantages in the Final-8 with the No. 3 Tropang Giga and No. 2 Road Warriors, respectively.
Meanwhile, SMB’s fancied reinforcement Shabazz Muhammad led NLEX’ KJ McDaniels and Magnolia’s Mike Harris in the Best Import stats derby.
Mr. Muhammad, whose 39-point, 19-rebound averages were league highs, normed 61 SPs in just three outings with the No. 5 Beermen. Mr. McDaniels posted 52.9 SPs in steering NLEX to second seed while Mr. Harris had 52.4 SPs for top-ranked Magnolia. Mr. McDaniels had ended his stint and was replaced by Cameron Clark. — Olmin Leyba