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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Tolentino, Hollis-Jefferson poised to take pole positions

Tolentino, Hollis-Jefferson poised to take pole positions

Published Feb 6, 2025 05:36 am

At A Glance

  • NorthPort's high-scoring forward Arvin Tolentino and TNT's do-it-all import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson are both primed to take the pole positions in the race for the top individual honors in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.

NorthPort's high-scoring forward Arvin Tolentino and TNT's do-it-all import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson are both primed to take the pole positions in the race for the top individual honors in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.

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That, after the Batang Pier star and the Tropang Giga import finished second in the statistical race in the Best Player of the Conference and Best Import derbies, respectively, at the end of the eliminations.

Tolentino amassed 39.9 statistical points to take the No. 2 spot and is expected to leapfrog San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo for the top position especially with NorthPort still in the playoffs and is holding a twice-to-beat advantage against eighth seeded Magnolia.

The 29-year-old winger, who is playing his best basketball so far highlighted by two triple-double showings, is averaging 23 points. 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest just behind Fajardo’s 42.0 SPs built on 20.1 points, 16.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.0 blocks.

At the third spot is NLEX’s Robert Bolick, who leads the locals in scoring and assists with 23.5 points and 7.8 assists to go with 3.5 rebounds to finish with 37.1 SPs.

Like Fajardo, however, the Road Warriors playmaker is virtually out of contention after his team failed to get past the eliminations after dropping the do-or-die game for the eighth spot against the Hotshots.

The closest threat to Tolentino’s bid is TNT forward Calvin Oftana and Converge rookie Jordan Heading, both collecting 32.7 and 32.5 SPs to complete the Top 5.

Oftana is averaging 19.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists while Heading has 17.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.

Outside looking in are Tolentino’s running mate Joshua Munzon who ended up at the sixth spot with 31.9 SPs followed by Converge’s Alec Stockton with 31.2 SPs. Barangay Ginebra duo Scottie Thompson and Troy Rosario are at the eighth and 10th with 29.5 SPs and 28.0 SPs.

They are sandwiching another rookie in Justine Baltazar who barged into the Top 10 at ninth spot with 28.8 SPs.

Similar to Tolentino’s case, Hollis-Jefferson looked poised to overtake NLEX’s Mike Watkins in the Best Import race.

RHJ has 51.8 SPs, not too far behind Watkins’ 52.7 SPs. The TNT import has been all over the floor with 27.7 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks while Watkins is lording it over with 26.7 points, 20.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 2.7 blocks.

Kadeem Jack of the league-leading NorthPort is Hollis-Jefferson’s closest pursuer with 51.6 SPs followed by Ricardo Ratliff and Donovan Smith with 50.1 and 47.3 SPs respectively.

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