Who Are the Top PBA Best Player of the Conference Candidates This Season?

2025-11-22 14:01

As I sit down to analyze this season's PBA Best Player of the Conference race, I can't help but reflect on how dramatically the landscape has shifted from previous years. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous MVP battles, but this season's competition feels particularly special. The usual suspects are there, of course, but we're also seeing some fresh faces making compelling cases for themselves. What strikes me most is how team success continues to be the ultimate determining factor in these awards - something TNT Tropang Giga has demonstrated masterfully throughout the season.

Let me start with my personal favorite in the conversation: Mikey Williams. The man has been nothing short of spectacular, averaging around 22.3 points per game while shooting 38% from beyond the arc. I've always been drawn to scorers who can create their own shots, and Williams does this better than almost anyone in the league right now. His performance in crucial moments has been the difference-maker for TNT in several close games. What many casual fans might not notice is his improved playmaking - he's dishing out approximately 5.2 assists per game while cutting down his turnovers significantly from last conference. The synergy he's developed with Roger Pogoy has been beautiful to watch, reminding me of some of the great backcourt duos from PBA history.

Speaking of Pogoy, he deserves serious consideration too, though I'd place him slightly behind Williams in my personal rankings. His two-way impact cannot be overstated - he's averaging 1.8 steals per game while still putting up 18.7 points. I've always valued players who contribute on both ends, and Pogoy embodies that complete game. His shooting percentages have dipped slightly from last season - he's hitting about 34% from three-point range compared to last year's 38% - but his defensive intensity has more than made up for it. Watching him lock down opposing teams' best perimeter players while still carrying significant offensive load reminds me why I fell in love with Philippine basketball in the first place.

Now, we can't discuss this season's BPC race without mentioning June Mar Fajardo. The living legend is putting up another stellar season with approximately 16.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. While his numbers might not jump off the page compared to some previous seasons, his impact remains tremendous. I'll admit I have a soft spot for traditional big men, and Fajardo's footwork in the post is simply poetry in motion. However, I do wonder if voters might be experiencing what I call "Fajardo fatigue" - the tendency to overlook his consistent excellence simply because we've come to expect it. Still, with San Miguel's strong conference performance, he absolutely belongs in this conversation.

What makes TNT's candidates particularly compelling is their team's remarkable consistency. The reference to TNT continuing their Game 4 winning trend in semifinals against Rain or Shine across multiple conferences speaks volumes about their championship DNA. Having covered numerous playoff series throughout my career, I can tell you that winning closeout games requires a special kind of mental toughness. TNT has developed this almost systematic approach to closing out series that I find fascinating. They've won 8 of their last 9 Game 4 appearances in semifinal series, which demonstrates incredible preparation and execution under pressure.

Scottie Thompson from Ginebra deserves mention too, though I believe his case isn't as strong this particular conference. He's averaging nearly a triple-double with about 14.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, but Ginebra's relatively up-and-down conference performance might hurt his chances. Personally, I've always been higher on Thompson than most analysts - his basketball IQ is off the charts, and he does so many little things that don't show up in stat sheets. Still, in the BPC race, team success matters, and that's where TNT's candidates have the edge.

As we approach the final stretch of the conference, I'm leaning toward Mikey Williams as my BPC pick, though it's closer than many might think. His combination of scoring explosiveness and improved playmaking, coupled with TNT's dominant conference performance, creates a compelling narrative. The way he's elevated his game in crucial moments - like that 35-point outburst against Magnolia last month - demonstrates the "clutch gene" that separates good players from truly great ones. Having witnessed numerous BPC races throughout my career, I can sense when a player has that special combination of individual excellence and team success that typically sways voters.

The beauty of this season's race lies in its diversity of candidates - from explosive scorers like Williams to two-way specialists like Pogoy to legendary big men like Fajardo. Each brings something unique to the table, making this one of the most interesting BPC debates in recent memory. While my personal preference leans toward Williams, I wouldn't be shocked to see any of these players lifting the trophy. What's certain is that Philippine basketball fans are witnessing an exceptionally talented generation of players competing at the highest level. The ultimate winner will likely be determined in these final crucial games, where legends are truly made and BPC candidates either solidify their cases or see them fade away.