VIC Manuel’s hard work has been paying off for Alaska, and it’s no surprise he leads the Best Player of the Conference race at the end of the elimination phase of the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Showing MVP form at 31, the Novo Ecijano amassed 37.2 statistical points (SPs) built on his 24.18 points, the best among locals, to go with 6.27 rebounds and 1.0 assist to help the Aces clinch a top two spot in the playoffs.
It has been a solid conference for Manuel, who has never averaged more than 13.7 points since GlobalPort picked him ninth in the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft.
He has been the lynchpin for Alaska this second conference, racking up 20 points in 10 straight games, eight of which leading to a win.
Reigning four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel isn’t far behind, though, as he collected 36.8 SPs after norming 19.64 points, 11.36 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
The GlobalPort duo of Sean Anthony and Stanley Pringle are next with 35.4 and 35.0 SPs, respectively.
Rounding out the top five is Meralco swingman Chris Newsome, who got 33.5 SPs.
Completing the top 10 are Rain or Shine’s Raymond Almazan (31.3 SPs), Phoenix’s Matthew Wright (30.7 SPs), Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar (30.5 SPs), San Miguel’s Alex Cabagnot (30.5 SPs) and TNT’s Troy Rosario (29.9 SPs).
Meanwhile, Eugene Phelps leads the Best Import race with his 55.1 SPs as the Phoenix reinforcement averaged 29.86 points, 18.0 rebounds, 6.29 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals.
Chasing him for the plum is San Miguel’s Renaldo Balkman with 53.4 SPs.
Also in the chase are Columbian’s John Fields (53.0 SPs), Alaska’s Diamon Simpson (52.0 SPs), and Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee (51.1 SPs).