Harp a cinch to win Best Player honors

For Red Bull Fil-Am forward Davonn Harp, the Thunder’s entry into the Samsung PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals is in itself a vindication or personal triumph after missing a spot in the national team bound for the Busan Asian Games this month.

But he’s not aware a big bonus is forthcoming as he is a cinch to win the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award.

At the end of the semis, Harp (928) was the front-runner in the stats race with San Miguel’s Dorian Pena (789) at second, Alaska’s Rob Duat (783) at third, Nic Belasco (756) also of SMB No. 4 and teammate Willie Miller (711) at No. 5.

And it well appears the BPC derby is all over except the drum-roll and the applause with Harp’s closest rivals relegated to the sidelines.

Curiously, no one among the Talk N Text Phone Pals made it to the Magic Five with Mark Telan (651), Gilbert Demape (642) and Vic Pablo (628) placing eighth, ninth and 10th, respectively.

Harp has also gained significant grounds in the season’s MVP race. Now at No. 9, the 6-foot-7 Red Bull work horse is likely to surge to the top at the end of the Red Bull-Talk N Text title confrontation.

Alaska teammates Don Allado and John Arigo took the provisional lead with 1784 and 1706 statistical points, respectively. First conference leader Rey Evangelista slid to third with 1686 points, followed by Rodney Santos with 1652 and Pena with 1642.

Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao said the non-inclusion of Harp and Miller to the national team has proven to be a blessing in disguise for the team and the two players. And the fiery Red Bull mentor thought Harp has scored a personal victory not only on the issue of the national team but in the many trials he had gone through.

"Marami siyang pinagdaanan. If ever, Davonn’s crowning glory would be the Best Player of the Conference award," said Guiao of his ace Fil-Am who faced legal problems involving an alleged girlfriend earlier in the year.

National coach Jong Uichico said Harp deserves to win the award even as he stressed he didn’t cut the Red Bull player in the tryout for the RP team.

"He deserves what he’s getting. Every time I watch him nga, nanghihinayang ako. I’m thinking we could use him in the (national) team. But it was his choice. He begged off from joining the team before we did the final cut," said Uichico. – Nelson Beltran