ROBERT Bolick continues to show the way in the race for the PBA Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference.
But look who's making a strong case for the top individual award of the all-Filipino tournament?
Top rookie pick Stephen Holt rose up at no. 2 as he lurked behind the high-scoring NLEX guard in the race for the BPC crown at the end of the eliminations on Wednesday.
Bolick remained on top with a total of 44.5 statistical points (sps) behind his league-leading 27.4 points and 7.0 assists along with 5.6 rebounds.
Holt though, is making a strong case for himself.
Sponsored content:
After Terrafirma clinched the eighth and last quarterfinals berth Wednesday night behind a 104-96 win over Northport, the 6-foot-4 guard suddenly looms as the big threat to Bolick's bid for a first ever BPC award.
Holt, the no. 1 overall pick by Terrafirma in the Season 48 draft, tallied 41.5 sps to place second behind Bolick with his all-around numbers 21.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 2.5 steals.
The 32-year-old Holt, incidentally, is also the runaway leader in the race for the Rookie of the Year with 41.5 sps, long ahead of second placer Zav Lucero of Northport with 24.8 sps.
But close to Holt at no. 3 with 41.0 sps is seven-time MVP and nine-time BPC winner June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel. The 6-foot-10 Cebuano leads the league in rebounding with 14.1 average along with 16.0 points and 2.8 assists.
Also making a big jump in the Top 10 standings is Barangay Ginebra big man Christian Standhardinger with 38.9 sps. The 6-foot-8 Fil-German averaged 19.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists as he placed at no. 4 spot from no. 10 halfway through the eliminations.
Sponsored content:
CJ Perez tallied 38.7 sps to make it to the Top 5 list. Winner of the BPC Commissioner's Cup, the San Miguel wingman averaged 21.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals.
Arvin Tolentino of Northport was the biggest casualty in the race following the failure of Northport to advance in the playoffs.
The 28-year-old Tolentino fell from second to sixth spot with 36.4 sps while submitting numbers of 21.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
Completing the Top 10 list are Calvin Oftana of TNT with 35.5 sps, the Rain or Shine duo of Santi Santillan (34.8 sps) and Beau Belga (33.7 sps), and Magnolia's Ian Sangalang (32.6 sps). (RG)
