EXPECT a tight four-way battle for the PBA’s biggest individual award.
NorthPort guard Robert Bolick, TNT rookie sensation Mikey Williams, Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva, and Ginebra do-it-all wingman Scottie Thompson are the contenders for MVP plum set to be handed out in the Leo Awards before the pro league kicks off its 47th season Sunday next week at a venue still to be announced.
Back to his old, fiery form after an ACL injury, Bolick tallied 36.17 statistical points, leading the league in assists with 8.2 per game, while finishing No. 2 in scoring with 19.1, to go with 6.86 rebounds and 1.41 steals last season.
Williams, named finals MVP in the Tropang Giga’s Philippine Cup title win, garnered 34.26 SPs built on a league-best 19.5 points, 3.9 boards and 4.2 dimes. He also has a shot at becoming the PBA’s first Rookie-MVP winner since Benjie Paras in 1989.
Abueva (32.87 SPs) emerged as the Best Player of the Conference in the import-less tourney and averaged 14.5 markers, 8.79 caroms, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steal.
Thompson (32.22 SPs) won the BPC and finals MVP in the season-ending Governors Cup and was good for 13.9 points, 9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.24 steals per game last season.
The MVP award is determined through 40 percent average statistical points; 30 percent media votes; 25 percent players’ votes; and 5 percent from the Commissioner’s Office.
Bolick, Williams, Abueva and Thompson also lead the candidates for the Mythical Selection.
Others in contention are San Miguel’s CJ Perez and Terrence Romeo, TNT’s Roger Pogoy, Meralco’s Chris Newsome, Magnolia’s Paul Lee and Marc Barroca, NLEX’s Kevin Alas and Ginebra’s LA Tenorio for the guard positions; six-time MVP and top rebounder June Mar Fajardo of SMB, Hotshot Ian Sangalang, the NorthPort duo Arwind Santos and Jamie Malonzo, Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger, Phoenix’s Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins and Rain or Shine’s Javee Mocon for the center/forward spots.
Bolick and Thompson are also contending for the Most Improved Player award against Meralco’s Aaron Black, Tropang Giga Kib Montalbo and Terrafirma’s Juami Tiongson.
Malonzo is running second in the top rookie race with 30.02 SPs, followed by Leonard Santillan of the Elasto Painters (14.50 SPs), Jerrick Ahanmisi of Magnolia (12.50 SPs), and Andrei Caracut of Rain or Shine (11.48 SPs).
After holding its last two seasons with only three conferences (2020 Philippine Cup, 2021 Philippine Cup and Governors Cup), the PBA is eyeing to revert to a three-conference calendar that will include the possible return of the All-Star festivities.
