By Adrian Stewart Co

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters’ Matthew Wright, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Christian Standhardinger and TNT Tropang GIGA’s Jayson Castro were among the top performers in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup.

The Filipino-Canadian Wright emerged as the top scorer in the suspended Philippine Cup after submitting averages of 19.8 points in five matches the Fuel Masters had played so far.

Wright’s teammate Vic Manuel was second in the scoring list with his 18.8 points average, followed by NLEX Road Warriors’ Kevin Alas (18.5), NorthPort Batang Pier’s Robert Bolick (18.3) and Kings’ Stanley Pringle (18.3).

Standhardinger, who transferred to the Kings from the Batang Pier in an offseason trade, was the league leader in terms of rebounding with his 13.0 boards average in four matches.

Terrafirma Dyip guard Roosevelt Adams and Tropang GIGA’s Jeth Troy Rosario were tied at second place with 10.7 rebounds per game, followed by Kings’ Earl Scottie Thompson (10.3) and Alaska Aces’ Yousef Taha (9.6).

The 35-year-old Castro, on the other hand, was the leader in assists in the All-Filipino Conference with his 6.7 dimes in Tropang GIGA’s three matches, all of which were victories.

Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena of the Road Warriors was second in assists with 6.5 per game, followed by Bolick with 6.0, Kings’ LA Tenorio, San Miguel Beermen’s Chris Ross and Andy Mark Barroca of Magnolia Hotshots with 5.5 per game.

The league was forced to postpone its Philippine Cup matches with the placing of the enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region, where the PBA venue Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City is located.

The PBA, however, is currently finalizing the conduct of a semi-bubble format in Pampanga City pending the completion of accommodation arrangements of the 12 teams.

Just like last year, the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Angeles, Pampanga is the likely venue for the resumption of the stalled All-Filipino Conference./ASC, WDJ