CJ Perez credits June Mar Fajardo as one of the reasons why he's a consistent contender for the PBA Best Player of the Conference award.
The 31-year-old wing said with the rest of the teams' defense focused on slowing down the eighth-time MVP, it allows him and the rest of the San Miguel Beermen for that matter, to do their own thing on the court.
"Gumaganda ang laro ko dahil sa kanya dahil siyempre June Mar Fajardo yun," he said. "Yung focus nasa kanya."
As things stand, Fajardo and Perez found themselves on a collision course for the highest individual award of the conference which will be conferred before Game 4 of the Philippine Cup finals between San Miguel and TNT at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Fajardo, owner of 11 BPC award including this season's Governors' Cup, is on top of the five-man candidates with a total of 39.6 statistical points.
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Perez meanwhile, occupies third spot at 35.6sps.
Robert Bolick of NLEX actually ranked no. 2 (36.6sps), but with the Road Warriors failing to reach the semifinals, is not likely to contend strongly for the plum.
The same case with nos. 4 and 5 Jason Perkins (Phoenix) and Zavier Lucero (Magnolia) respectively, as their teams likewise failed to advance past the quarterfinals.
Individual statistics are all considered from the eliminations to the semis.
Process for choosing the winner are based on statistical points (30 percent), media votes (30 percent), and players' votes (25 percent).
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Based on the numbers, Perez believes the 35-year-old Fajardo is a cinch to win the season-ending BPC award.
Nonetheless, he remains appreciative that he's always being considered a strong bet for the award.
"Grateful and honor pa rin na laging andun yung pangalan ko," said Perez, who won his first BPC award in last season's Philippine Cup.(RG)
