THE Ian Sangalang-Calvin Abueva reunion may just yield another wonderful result.
The partnership is once again in the finals, this time in the PBA Philippine Cup, and is expected to help power Magnolia to the victory, much like when they anchored the San Sebastian Stags’ title-winning run in NCAA Season 85.
This time could be sweeter.
The two are the frontrunners in the race for the Best Player of the Conference award, which should be quite an addition to the crown — if ever they do get it over the equally-determined TNT Tropang Giga in the best-of-seven championship series that started last night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
It would be quite a feather in either’s cap, a prize both maintained they’re not really focusing on.
“Sa akin, it’s gonna be like a bonus,” said Abueva, who already won the coveted award back in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup, during the pre-finals online press conference last Tuesday.
“Bonus talaga kasi ‘yung mga pinagdaanan mo… ‘yung mga stats mo, hindi mo napapansin ganyan na stats mo. Pero ang No. 1 na gusto mo d’yan makapunta ka ng finals and then get the trophy. ‘Yun ‘yung No. 1 dyan. Pero iyon (BPC) bonus na lang talaga.”
Sangalang readily echoed his fellow Kapampangan’s statement. “Same with Calvin,” he said.
“Pumunta ako dito sa bubble not expecting na maging candidate. Kasi pumunta ako dito para, ‘yun nga, makabalik kami ng finals. Then nilaro ko lang ‘yung laro ko… and then ngayon nangyari ‘yun. So bonus na lang iyun, nakarating ako doon.”
Abueva, acquired in a pre-season trade with Phoenix Super LPG last February, has been the race leader since the eliminations and has now solidified his lead with 34.2 statistical points built on averages of 15.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks in the 19 games so far.
Breathing hard down Abueva’s neck is his good buddy, who has accumulated 33.0 SPs to move up from fourth to third in the race.
Robert Bolick is running second with 33.7 SPs, but the NorthPort guard’s bid suffered a huge blow following the early ouster of the Batang Pier in the quarterfinals at the hands of San Miguel Beer.
Sangalang has been one of the tourney’s most consistent players with norms of 16.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. His 10 double-doubles in the conference included four in the semis and laced by 19 points and 14 rebounds, on top of six assists, three blocks, and two steals, in Magnolia’s 95-83 semis series-clinching win over Meralco last Friday.
Rookie Mikey Williams fell from second place to No. 4 after struggling early in TNT’s semifinals series against SMB, before rediscovering his early explosive form.
The 28-year-old Fil-Am guard totaled 32.0 SPs behind averages of 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 18 games.
Like his Magnolia counterparts, Williams said his sights are trained on the ultimate prize.
“It’s definitely a bonus,” said the Tropa’s No. 4 pick overall in last March’s rookie draft.
“When I came in, (I was) just trying to fit in, do what I can do to help the team,” added Williams, the league’s top rookie in terms of stats thus far.
“I’m glad we’re in a position to compete for a championship because ultimately that’s the end goal. The only goal I had for the year was winning the championship so I’m just glad to be in the running to compete for that.”
