MANILA — June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer and CJ Perez of Colombian Dyip were picked as two of the finalists for the Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player award.
Eyeing a sixth MVP award, Fajardo qualified by being named as the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award for the Philippine Cup.
The same reason applies for Talk ‘N Text’s veteran playmaker Jayson Castro, who won the BPC for the Commissioner’s Cup, and NorthPort’ Chris Standhardinger, the BPC for the Governors’ Cup.
Perez, on the other hand, was named a finalist too due to him being a runner-up for two of the three BPC’s at stake.
In fact, Perez is also second to Fajardo in the statistical points (SPs) race after the semifinals of the Governors’ Cup.
Fajardo got 39.6 SPs while Perez barely edged Sean Anthony for the second spot with 33.47. Anthony had 33.46.
Castro was sixth overall with 31.5 SPs while Standhardinger was 16th with 26.7.
Perez, meanwhile, is also the top contender for the Rookie of the Year award due to him being an MVP finalist.
This could mean Perez has a shot at becoming the Rookie of the Year and a Mythical First Team member at least at the same time.
Also in the running for the top freshman award are Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon, and Ray-Ray Parks.
The MVP, the Mythical Teams, and the Rookie of the Year will be named at the Leo Awards during the opening of the new season on March 1. (PNA)
