Christian Standhardinger paces BPC race; Hollis-Jefferson leads all imports

Barangay Ginebra big man Christian Standhardinger emerged as the top local player after the elimination round to grab an early lead in the Best Player of the Conference race of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup.

The Filipino-German bruiser averaged 17.3 points per game on top of 9.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals for 38.0 average statistical points (SPs) in 11 games.

San Miguel guard CJ Perez followed suit with 35.2 SPs while NorthPort gunner Arvin Tolentino posted the highest scoring average with 22.4 points per game to come third in the BPC race with 35.1 SPs.

TNT sharpshooter Calvin Oftana and Ginebra's do-it-all guard Scottie Thompson claimed the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, with 35.0 and 32.5 SPs.

Meanwhile, Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, despite having just played two games so far, emerged as the top import at the conclusion of the elimination round. Hollis-Jefferson, the older brother of TNT's previous import Rondae, had a whopping 67.5 SPs built on 42.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks a game.

Bennie Boatwright is Hollis-Jefferson's closest pursuer as the Beermen reinforcement collected a 67.3 SPs while Meralco's Shonn Miller is at third spot with 55.0 SPs.

Johnathan Williams of Phoenix Super LPG and NLEX's new import DeAndre Williams-Baldwin are at fourth and fifth spots with tight 53.6 and 53.5 SPs apiece.

Stephen Holt, the top overall pick in the recent Rookie Draft, was the best rookie with 24.0 SPs while the NorthPort duo of Cade Flores and Fran Yu are currently second and fifth with 23.3 and 16.5 average SPs.

Young Fuel Masters Kenneth Tuffin (21.8) and Ricci Rivero (17.3), on the other hand, are the third and fourth best rookies heading to the playoffs.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News