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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider June Mar Fajardo leads race for another BPC plum

June Mar Fajardo leads race for another BPC plum

Published Jan 3, 2026 01:08 pm

At A Glance

  • The nine-time Most Valuable Player continues to set the standard in the Season 50 Philippine Cup by emerging as the frontrunner in the Best Player of the Conference race through the quarterfinals.
As expected, June Mar Fajardo is the frontrunner in the Best Player of the Conference race. (PBA Image)
As expected, June Mar Fajardo is the frontrunner in the Best Player of the Conference race. (PBA Image)
Another year has arrived in the PBA, but little has changed when it comes to June Mar Fajardo’s command of the league.
The nine-time Most Valuable Player continues to set the standard in the Season 50 Philippine Cup by emerging as the frontrunner in the Best Player of the Conference race through the quarterfinals.
Numbers once again tell the story of Fajardo’s impact. Based on statistics compiled by PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, the 6-foot-10 center is pacing the field with an average of 45.4 statistical points, putting him in strong position to claim a record-extending 13th BPC award.
Fajardo’s dominance in the paint remains unmatched, as he leads the rebounding department with an average of 15.3 boards per game. His impact goes well beyond scoring and rebounding, also averaging 5.1 assists while adding 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals per contest.
Calvin Abueva, enjoying a career resurgence since joining Titan Ultra, currently sits second followed by Converge super rookie Juan Gomez de Liano. FiberXers big man Justine Baltazar and Magnolia Hotshots center Zavier Lucero round out the Top 5.
Among the five leading contenders in the all-Filipino conference, however, Fajardo is the lone player still in the semifinal hunt, giving him a clear edge in the race for the top individual honor.
Still, Abueva remains very much in contention, posting 42.2 SPs behind a league-best 23.6 points per game to go with 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks.
Gomez de Liano also turned heads and garnered 37.2 SPs behind an all-around average of 19 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists. He was tied with Baltazar, who also finished with 148 points, 14.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
Close behind was Lucero, who collected 33.8 SPs on averages of 17.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and league-best 2.0 blocks.
Abueva’s teammate Joshua Munzon landed sixth with 33.6 SPs followed by CJ Perez of SMB with 32.92 SPs. Calvin Oftana of TNT has 32.91 SPs at eighth, while Converge’s Justin Arana finished ninth with 32.6 SPs.
Completing the Top 10 is CJ Cansino with 31.2 SPs.
In the rookie race, Gomez de Liano is running away with the lead, with Blackwater’s Dalph Panopio emerging as his closest pursuer with 21.9 SPs to show. Terrafirma’s Jm Bravo is third with 19.1 followed by Ginebra’s Sonny Estil (15.9) and Magnolia’s Chris Koon (14.0).
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