June Mar Fajardo leads BPC race, Mikey Williams makes huge jump after sizzling semis stint

June Mar Fajardo is a cinch to win his nine PBA BPC award. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—June Mar Fajardo remains the frontrunner for the PBA Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference.

In a copy of the statistical points race given to media outfits covering the beat on Sunday night, the San Miguel center tallied 41.5 average SP's after the semifinals.

Fellow Beerman CJ Perez is second with 39.3 average SP's.

With SMB beating Meralco in seven game to make a return to the conference finals for the first time since 2019, Fajardo is in a prime position to capture his ninth BPC award.

However, TNT's Mikey Williams has a chance to spoil the fun as he made a significant leap in the BPC race.

Outside of the Top 25 until the quarterfinals, Williams leapfrogged to fourth in the stats race after an impressive showing in his team's semifinal series against Magnolia.

While his 34.7 average SP's may have not been enough to overthrow Fajardo, Williams could sway some votes from the players, media, and the PBA commissioner's office once BPC balloting results have been revealed.

Ginebra's Scottie Thompson is third with 37.8 average SP's, while teammate Japeth Aguilar is fifth with 33.1.

However, with the Gin Kings knocked out in the quarterfinals by the Bolts, the BPC race has basically gone down to a three-way battle between Fajardo, Perez, and Williams.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno