PBA MVP derby is four-way race

MANILA, Philippines — Four potential first-time winners, including a rookie sensation on track for Benjie Paras’ rare feat, are engaged in a tight battle for the PBA Season 46 Most Valuable Player award.

NorthPort’s Robert Bolick, TNT’s Mikey Williams, Magnolia’s Calvin Abueva and Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson made the shortlist of candidates for the top individual plum with their stellar showing in the two-conference competition.

The winner will take centerstage during the Leo Awards coinciding with the Season 47 opening on June 5.

Bolick came back strong from a year-long absence due to an ACL injury and made a case for the prestigious award with his 36.17 statistical points (SPs). The NorthPort ace also emerged as the top assists man with 8.2 per game while finishing second in scoring with 19.1 and logging a solid 6.86 rebounds and 1.41 steals per game.

Williams, the Finals MVP of the Philippine Cup, got a crack at the first Rookie-MVP twin-kill since Paras in 1989, posting 34.26 SPs built around a league-best 19.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.2 dimes. He leads NorthPort’s Jamie Malonzo (30.02) for the freshman trophy.

Abueva, with 32.87 SPs, and  Thompson, with 32.22 SPs, earned their shots at the year-end accolade following their Best Player of the Conference outings in the All-Filipino and Governors’ Cup, respectively.

Abueva had averages of 14.5 markers, 8.79 boards, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steal. Thompson, who also came away with the Finals MVP plum in the Governors’ tourney, accounted for 13.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.24 steals.

The four topbill the bets for the Mythical Selection.

From the guard roster, San Miguel’s CJ Perez and Terrence Romeo, TnT’s RR Pogoy, Meralco’s Chris Newsome, Magnolia’s Paul Lee and Marc Barroca, NLEX’ Kevin Alas and Ginebra’s LA Tenorio join Bolick, Williams and Thompson.

Abueva is in the roster of centers and forwards with six-time MVP and top rebounder June Mar Fajardo of SMB, fellow Hotshot Ian Sangalang, NorthPort duo Arwind Santos and Malonzo, Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger, Phoenix’ Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins and Rain or Shine’s Javee Mocon.

Bolick and Thompson are also up for the Most Improved Player award against Meralco’s Aaron Black, TnT’s Kib Montalbo and Terrafirma’s Juami Tiongson.

Meanwhile, the PBA 3x3 starts its Third Conference action today with Leg 1 at Robinsons Magnolia.

This marks the first time for the games to be held in the malls and features a number of former 5-on-5 pros like Nico Salva of First Conference champ Limitless, Wendell Comboy of SMB, Gwynne Capacio and Jeric Teng of Master Sardines and Reeve Ugsang of Second Conference titlist Pioneer.