Arvin, Jack in line for honors

MANILA, Philippines — NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino is in contention for the Best Player of the Conference  award in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and if the top-seeded Batang Pier advances to the semifinals, it would boost his chances. But if NorthPort fails to survive the quarterfinals against Magnolia despite a twice-to-beat advantage, the probability of Tolentino bagging the BPC trophy is likely to plummet.

The tabulation for BPC ends after the semifinals. The breakdown of the points system is 45 percent from statistics, 30 percent from media and 25 percent from players. Each player receives 10 bonus points for every win so the extra games in the semifinals will be a big plus. Tolentino’s teammate Kadeem Jack is also in the running for Best Import honors with TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Converge’s Cheikh Diallo and Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee.

Tolentino is one of only four locals to average at least 20 points this conference. Topping the list is NLEX’ Robert Bolick (23.54). Next are Tolentino (23.0), Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield (20.75) and San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo (20.08). Bolick, Barefield and Fajardo aren’t playing in the quarterfinals, crippling their chances for the award. Jack is averaging 31.67 points. He’s No. 1 in two-point field goals made but last among imports in rebounding and assists. If Hollis-Jefferson, Diallo and Brownlee see action in the semifinals, Jack’s chances to claim the Best Import trophy will be slim.

The only NorthPort player ever to win BPC honors was Christian Standhardinger in the 2019 Governors Cup. Fajardo has won the last two awards in the 2023-24 Philippine Cup and 2024-25 Governors Cup. Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson took two Best Import honors each in the last five reinforced conferences from 2021.