June Mar Fajardo leads race for his potential 8th PBA MVP award

San Miguel big man June Mar Fajardo could be hoisting his record-extending eighth PBA MVP trophy as he currently leads the race at the conclusion of the two-conference PBA Season 48 last month.

The 6-foot-10 big man led the way among the top 25 players after amassing 42.1 statistical points, which was an average of his 40.9 and 42.9 statistical points during the Commissioner's Cup and Philippine Cup, respectively.

Fajardo, who just wrapped up Gilas Pilipinas duty at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, posted averages of 17.8 points and a league-best 13.4 rebounds together with 2.8 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 0.7 steals.

His closest pursuers are Barangay Ginebra big man Christian Standhardinger and his own SMB teammate CJ Perez. Standhardinger is in second spot with a 37.8 statistical poinst after averaging 19.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists.

Perez occupies the third spot with 37.4 statistical points. NorthPort gunner Arvin Tolentino is at fourth place while another Gilas Pilipinas member in Calvin Oftana placed fifth.

Stephen Holt, on the other, is in sixth place to also lead the Rookie of the Year race.

The Filipino-American guard averaged an impressive 17.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.9 steals to carry Terrafirma to its first playoff appearance in eight years last Philippine Cup.

Following suit are rising aces from NorthPort and Rain or Shine with Cade Flores and Adrian Nocum placing second and third in the top rookie ladder while Phoenix Super LPG 's Kenneth Tuffin and Christian David are fourth and fifth, respectively.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News