PBA’s top guns

 The race is on to determine who’ll emerge the PBA Commissioner’s Cup top local gun. At the holiday break, NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino leads the gunslingers with a 24.7-point clip. Next in line are TNT’s Calvin Oftana (21.8), NLEX’ Robert Bolick (21.7), Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield (20.8) and San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo (19.8).

Tolentino, Oftana and Fajardo haven’t sunk a four-pointer yet, blanking a combined 0-of-10. Surprisingly, Tolentino is shooting only .267 from three, Bolick, .154 and Barefield, .261 so none of them is particularly deadly from beyond the arc. Oftana is a deadshot from three, hitting .526 on 20-of-38. Because Oftana takes most of his shots from the perimeter, he’s not fouled a lot. In four games, Oftana had 41 attempts from four and three with only 19 from two. He’s 7-of-11 from the line or a .636 clip. In contrast, Tolentino is a deadeye from the line, connecting 8.4 foul shots a game and hitting .843.

Bolick is averaging 7.7 assists, No. 1 in the league and curiously, he’s taken more fours than threes, 18 to 13. He’s also shooting at a higher clip from four than three, .278 to .154. Bolick is credited with the only five-point play in the conference. Taking away from Bolick’s potential to zoom to the top of the scoring ladder is his playmaking.  He’s a combo guard with the license to shoot, slash and do everything else on the floor.

Tolentino is averaging 8.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists. His ability to play multiple positions is a major asset. He can bring the ball down, pop off ball screens, post up, roll from a pick, drive and score with a variety of moves. Oftana plays a similar style only Tolentino is more versatile because he also has a strong inside game. Tolentino shot 35 points in NorthPort’s 120-113 win over Eastern and hasn’t scored less than 17 this conference. Oftana hit 42 against Magnolia but only seven against Eastern.

Barefield’s offense is restricted because Blackwater import George King is a phenomenal scorer with unbelievable four-point range. Barefield’s shot selection could be improved as he’s hitting .423 from the floor. He’s missed two of the Bossing’s six games so playing more could increase his chances of vaulting up the pole. He’s averaging 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists, shooting .250 from four and .261 from three.

Fajardo is norming 17.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists, shooting .523 from the field and .650 from the line. Of the five top guns, he’s No. 1 in average minutes, 39:48. Tolentino is No. 2 with 39:14. Fajardo makes a living in the paint and is a monster off the boards, hauling down a league-high 6.7 offensive rebounds an outing. Unlike Tolentino who’s taken 30 shots from three, Fajardo has attempted only thrice from that distance, belying his focus on the interior.

From all indications, Tolentino has the inside track to bag the scoring title. He has the uncanny ability to fish for fouls whether on the attack from the perimeter or close to the basket and it’s why he leads the league in total free throw conversions at 59. Tolentino’s a finesse player with a sweet jumper but he can also power his way to the rim, using his height and length. Will Oftana, Bolick, Barefield, Fajardo or someone else put up a serious challenge for the scoring crown?