Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
    View Today
    Sun, Nov 5

    PBA stars you wouldn't expect to be part of a wide-open BPC race

    Fajardo-less BPC race a wide open one as PBA heads inside the bubble
    Sep 18, 2020

    EXCITEMENT is on a high following the news of the PBA's planned resumption in a bubble setup in Clark, Pampanga.

    The 2020 Philippine Cup, which has been stalled for over half a year now, can finally continue albeit in a compressed setting, with the target date set on October 9.

    But just like what the NBA showed, no fans present doesn't mean that the action isn't going to be as intense.

    One thing that remained constant from the last time the games were allowed was that June Mar Fajardo, the reigning six-time PBA MVP, will still be at bay for the restart as he continues his recovery from a fractured tibia.

    It means that it's open season for the players who will head to Clark, making it one of the wildest races not just for the championship but also for the Best Player of the Conference award.

    The last time Fajardo did not win the BPC trophy in the all-Filipino conference was way back in his rookie season when Jayson Castro won it in 2013.

    If the TNT slasher captures it, in his home province of Pampanga no less, it would vault him to second place among multiple-time winners at six, breaking his current tie with legend Danny Ildefonso.

    But as favored as he is, Castro has a bumper crop of players chasing him.

    ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

    Fresh off his Finals MVP nod in the 2019 Governors' Cup, Ginebra forward Japeth Aguilar is seeking his first BPC trophy as he finally comes out of his shell and have showed the maturity to be the top ace for the Gin Kings.

    Christian Standhardinger is also on an ascent after his stellar performance last conference for NorthPort allowed him to capture the BPC trophy in the 2019 Governors' Cup. And if he can bring the Batang Pier to great lengths inside the bubble, don't rule him out winning the plum in back-to-back tourneys.

    Last season's Rookie of the Year CJ Perez is also a prime candidate for the award, but his candidacy will only go hand-in-hand with the success that he can bring to Terra Firma.

    SEE ALSO
    SEE ALSO

    Top guards can also spruce up surprises given the unpredictability inside the bubble, with Magnolia's Paul Lee, NLEX's Kiefer Ravena, Alaska's Jeron Teng, TNT's Roger Pogoy, and Ginebra's LA Tenorio and Stanley Pringle expected to make cases for themselves.

    CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
    Watch Now

    It's also been a decade since James Yap won his only BPC trophy, and how fitting would it be for him to snag another hardware while leading Rain or Shine to contention.

    NorthPort's Sean Anthony, Phoenix Super LPG's Matthew Wright, Meralco's Chris Newsome, and Blackwater's Mac Belo have always been strong contenders, as seen in the previous seasons.

    ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

    Of course, don't rule out Calvin Abueva, if he finally gets his clearance, as he has been raring to show his worth for the Fuel Masters for over a year. How sweet would it be that he gets the BPC award in his first season back?

    But one must not underestimate the firepower of San Miguel.

    Fajardo may not be with the Beermen inside the bubble, but there are still a bevy of contenders from their camp, from the ever-present leaders Arwind Santos (a two-time BPC winner), and one-time winners Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross, to sharp-shooter Terrence Romeo and Mo Tautuaa, who we should say was the Best Player of the Game in the lone duel to be played this season.

    MORE FROM SPIN
    MORE FROM SPIN

      Players, however, have to beware as individual stats can only get you so far as team success also weighs heavily when it comes to these discussions.

      Still, we expect nothing less from what has already been an unpredictable season.
      ___

      ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

      Spin fans unite at the Spin Viber Community! Join the growing community now and complete the experience by subscribing to the Spin Chatbot.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

      Read Next
      Watch Now
      Sorry, no results found for
    • POLL

      • Quiz

        Quiz Result