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| Calvin Abueva talks to the press during the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals pre-series press conference. PBA (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Calvin Abueva could still win the Best Player of the Conference for the PBA Commissioner's Cup despite not finishing first in statistical points.
The energetic Alaska forward finished third in SP's according to a copy of the said SP report obtained by Dugout Philippines on Friday, but the fact that the Aces are in the finals against the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters could play a factor as votes from various league personalities will also be obtained.
Abueva got 32.7 SP's after the end of the semifinals, just 0.3 point behind second-running Terrence Romeo and 1.5 points behind Greg Slaughter, who got the most SP's.
The media, the players, and the Commissioner's Office also have a say on the Best Player race as they will choose on who will take the said plum.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Ratliffe zoomed to the top spot in the Best Import as per SP's following the shocking departure of erstwhile leader Tyler Wilkerson.
The Star import, who replaced Denzel Bowles, got 52.63 SP's after an eight-game stint, just ahead of second-placed Al Thornton of NLEX by just 0.05 point.
Wilkerson was disqualified from winning the said pennant for foreign reinforcements after San Miguel decided to cut him from the team after a fallout that started right after Game 2 of their semifinal series against Rain Or Shine.
Despite his team barely missing the semis after losing a huge lead in the knockout quarterfinal match against the Beermen, Ratliffe could walk away with the Best Import plum as the two imports involved in the finals, Alaska's Rob Dozier and ROS' Pierre Henderson-Niles, are far cries in the SP race, although the same voting method for the BPC will also be applied for the Best Import.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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