De Ocampo, teammates dispute PBA top performer award

The Phoenix Petroleum-PBA Elims Top Performer derby has become a three-way battle for teammates disputing the top individual honor. Talk N Text forward Ranidel de Ocampo and fellow Tropang Texters Mac Mac Cardona and Jimmy Alapag are currently ranked 1,2 and 3 in the race for the top performer award, which will be given by the PBA Pres Corps. De Ocampo has so far been averaging 33.60 statistical points from his 18.5 points per game average, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.4 assists, and 0.3 blocks. At second with 32.30 average SPs is TNT off-guard Mark Cardona (19.1 ppg, 4-0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.1 spg, 0.5 bpg), while at third with 30.50 average SPs is point guard teammate Jimmy Alapag (14.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 7.8 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.1 bpg). Running fourth is SMB forward Jay Washington with a 30.10 SPs average (15.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.4 bpg), and at sixth with 29.73 is Beermen swingman Arwind Santos (11.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.0 bpg.) Two more TNT forwards – Kelly Williams (27.73) and Harvey Carey (26.70) – are at seventh and ninth, while a third SMB player – point guard Alex Cabagnot (27.55) – is at eighth. At sixth place is Rain or Shine swingman Gabe Norwood (28.60), and at 10th is B-Meg Derby Ace shooter James Yap (26.50). The PBA Press Corps, in coordination with the PBA Commissioner’s Office and the PBA Board of Governors, launched this 35th season’s Fiesta Cup the PBA Elims Top Performer Award to honor the player who made the most impact prior to the playoffs and the finals. Statistics will play a big role in the selection, but a player’s overall contribution to his team’s winning ways will also be highly considered. Members of the PBAPC also vote as one in the selection of the Best Player of the Conference and the PBA Most Valuable Player, and pick the Finals MVP, Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Mr. Quality Minutes, Comeback Player of the Year, All-Rookie Team, and Referee of the Year.