Cardona, Williams, Santos pace PBA stats race

Mark Cardona leads the field in scoring, Kelly Williams paces everyone in rebounds and Arwind Santos is among the frontrunners in practically all major stats departments entering the homestretch of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup elimination phase. Ronald Tubid, Willie Miller, LA Tenorio, James Yap, Jimmy Alapag, Kerby Raymundo, Dondon Hontiveros, and Ryan Reyes have also been churning out significant numbers, making themselves among the top contenders for the Best Player of the Conference honors. Williams and Santos are the only players in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding while Miller, Tenorio and Alapag are three players in the Magic 10 in scoring and assists.

Cardona is the top gunner with an average of 21.8 points a game, followed by Santos (18.2), Tubid (17.93), Williams (17.2), Miller (16.1), Tenorio (15.4), Yap (15.1), Alapag (14.7), Raymundo (14.5) and Hontiveros (14.07). Jayjay Helterbrand, the 2008-09 MVP awardee, is No. 1 in assists with an average of 6.2 although he has played only five games in the tourney. Alex Cabagnot is right behind Helterbrand with 5.9 feeds an outing, followed by Alapag (5.3), Jonas Villanueva (5.1), Joseph Yeo (4.7), Miller (4.54), Jason Castro (4.67), Ryan Reyes (4.62), Tenorio (4.1) and Johnny Abarrientos (3.8). Williams, the 2007-08 MVP, has been grabbing the most number of rebounds with 14.07 per game, followed by Asi Taulava (10.3), Santos (10.2), Harvey Carey (9.5), Rafi Reavis (9.2), Dorian Pena (8.9), Gabby Espinas (8.0), JayR Reyes (7.78), Chad Alonzo (7.71) and JR Quinahan (7.5). Ryan Reyes is the leader in steals (2.07), Ali Peek in blocks (1.7), Williams in minutes played (40.3), Cardona in two-point field-goal shooting (61.44 percent), Mike Hrabak in three-point accuracy (46.30 percent) and Tenorio in free-throw clip (90 percent). Committing the most number of turnovers are Williams (with 3.5 an outing), Cardona (3.33), Raymundo (3.23), Dennis Espino (3.20), Gary David (3.13), Miller (2.92), Richard Yee (2.86), Helterbrand (2.80), Yeo (2.69) and Jojo Duncil (2.62). The top five players in the stats race will contend for the coveted Best Player of the Conference honors in a balloting. Helterbrand, Miller, Williams and Cardona were the last four recipients of the BPC trophy. Santos hasn't won the BPC but he's always been a contender for the award since joining the league in 2006. "It's nice to win an individual award but my primary goal each game is to help my team win," said Santos, remaining a steady force even when thrown to the star-studded San Miguel team. With a 12-3 win-loss card, Santos and the Beermen lead the race for the two outright semifinal berths in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup double-round elimination phase. The tourney resumes on Jan. 6 at the Araneta Coliseum with Sta. Lucia playing Rain or Shine and Talk ‘N Text facing Barangay Ginebra. "All the teams are jockeying for position, and exciting games can be expected all the way to the finish of the elims," said Cardona. "Gusto ko talagang i-angat pa ang laro ko para makatulong sa team ko," he added. - GMANews.TV