DON’T look now but San Miguel Beer prized big man June Mar Fajardo is poised to pull off a come-from-behind victory for the season-ending tourney’s most coveted individual award.
The hulking 6-foot-10 reigning seven-time MVP grabbed the upper hand from erstwhile pacesetter Robert Bolick of NLEX in the PBA Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference derby.
Fajardo, 34, totaled 43.12 statistical points built on averages of 17.3 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists after the semifinals–more importantly, he powered the Beermen to the Big Dance of the import-less tilt opposite the Meralco Bolts.
Bolick slipped to close second with 43.08 SPs after leading the pro league in scoring with 28.3 points, to go with 5.2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.
But the Road Warriors could only go as far as the quarterfinals after being swept by the Bolts in the Last Eight.
Fajardo, who placed third after the eliminations, and Bolick will join rookie Stephen Holt of Terrafirma, San Miguel’s CJ Perez, and Christian Standhardinger Ginebra as the official candidates for the BPC plum.
Holt, who also leads the race for the Rookie of the Year award, is currently No. 3 with 40.8 SPs with all around norms of 21.08 points, 8.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.4 steals, leading the Dyip to their first playoffs stint in eight years.
Perez trails Holt with 39.18 SPs followed by Standhardinger at fifth with 39.16 SPs.
Fajardo has won the BPC award nine times already and a 10th overall.
Standhardinger was a two-time winner, while Perez tasted his first in the last Commissioner’s Cup.
Another top cager of the league trophy will just be a bonus, according to Fajardo, whose sights are trained on guiding SMB to a second straight all-Filipino crown and a franchise 30th overall.
“Just reaching the championship is already a blessing in itself,” Fajardo said. “We’re just going to enjoy (the series). But at the same time, compete.
“We know it won’t be easy against Meralco, but we’re truly preparing for them. It’s going to be exciting,” he added.
Asia’s first play-for-pay league will hand out the award before Game 4 of the best-of-7 Big Dance next Wednesday, June 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The conference’s BPC race just proved that aside from the numbers, victories also matter.
