Thompson on track for BPC award

Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson shoots over Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon during the semifinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. PBA PHOTO

BARANGAY Ginebra star Scottie Thompson and resident import Justin Brownlee, undoubtedly the Gin Kings' 1-2 punch, are closing in on capturing the top individual awards for the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner's Cup.

Having sustained his strong showing in the mid-season conference, Thompson soared to the No. 2 spot in the statistical race for the Best Player of the Conference, just right behind NorthPort guard Robert Bolick who still leads the race after the semifinals.

Thompson, the PBA's reigning Most Valuable Player, occupies the second spot in the race with his 32.1 statistical points, just behind Bolick's 33.9 SPs.

Bolick's chances of winning the top individual plum for the conference dimmed with the Batang Pier bombing out quickly in the playoffs after bowing to Thompson and the Gin Kings in their quarterfinal series.

At No. 3 spot in the stats race are San Miguel Beer's CJ Perez with 31.3 SPs, followed by Thompson's teammate Jamie Malonzo with 30.9 and NLEX gunner Don Trollano (29.1).

Meanwhile, the 34-year-old Brownlee is a cinch to bag his third Best Import plum as he leads the race for foreign reinforcements after the semis with 52.7 SPs.

Magnolia import Nick Rakocevic is a distant second in the Best Import race with 45.5 SPs while San Miguel Beer's Devon Scott is at third with 44.8.

Interestingly, Thompson and Brownlee made it a double celebration for Ginebra in the 2021 Governors' Cup after capturing the BPC and Best Import awards, respectively.

That award was Thompson's first in the league since being selected fifth overall by Ginebra in 2015.

The Best Player of the Conference and Best Import awards will be given before the start of Game Four of the Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.