CJ Perez secured his maiden Best Player of the Conference accolade, emerging as the standout performer of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup.
The San Miguel guard outshone notable contenders such as Christian Standhardinger and Scottie Thompson from Ginebra, Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort, and Calvin Oftana of TNT to claim the prestigious award.
Initially, Standhardinger led the Best Player of the Conference race after the semifinals, boasting 35.7 statistical points (SPs), with Perez closely trailing at 35.5 SPs. However, Ginebra’s defeat to San Miguel in the best-of-five semifinals, which ended their title defense, dealt a blow to Standhardinger’s chances.
Conversely, Perez seized the opportunity during the semifinal series to bolster his case, elevating his position in the standings after initially ranking third following the elimination round. Throughout the semis, the three-time scoring champion showcased impressive averages of 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Perez, who has been a consistent contender for the award since being selected as the first overall pick by Terrafirma in 2018. Now, he can finally add the Best Player of the Conference trophy to his list of accolades, solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier talents.
