Showing an MVP-like performance in the conference that propelled the Barangay Ginebra Kings to the Finals of the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference, Jayjay Helterbrand was adjudged as the Best Player of the Conference. He won over close buddy Mark Caguioa for the plum.
Barangay Ginebra's Chris Alexander also won the Best Player of the Conference award over close rival Steven Thomas of the Air21 Express. Chirs Alexander is the main reason why Barangay Ginebra rose from the cellar after a dismal start of 0-5 in the import-laden conference.
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HELTERBRAND, ALEXANDER: ’08 SMART FIESTA’S BESTS Ginebra Mutt-and-Jeff tandem sweep individual awards
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Saturday, August 9, 2008
ANTIPOLO CITY. -- Barangay Ginebra stalwarts Jay-Jay Helterbrand and import Chris Alexander were adjudged top basketball players in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference Friday night at the Ynares Center here prior to the start of the Game 2 of the best-of-seven Finals.
The 5-foot-11 Helterbrand lived up to his billing as the league’s current top basketball point guard, winning Best Player of the Conference honors while the seven-foot-one Alexander was named Best Import.
Helterbrand, who was second in the statistical points category with an average of 32.42 SP, garnered a total of 1,403 total points votes to win his first BPC, besting basketball teammate and buddy Mark Caguioa.
The Novaliches-born but US-bred Kentucky State alumnus is the fourth basketball player in the Ginebra franchise history to win BPC honors after Marlou Aquino in the 1996 Governors Cup, Eric Menk in the 2004 Fiesta and 2004-05 Philippine Cup and Mark Caguioa in last season’s Philippine Cup.
The 6-foot-1 Caguioa, who topped the SPs race with a 0.20 lead on Helterbrand, received 883 total points votes to finish second in the balloting.
An Iowa State product, Alexander thus became the fifth basketball reinforcement in franchise history to win the award and first since Wes Matthews won it in the 1991 Third Conference.
Alexander joined Matthews, Michael Hackett (1985 Reinforced Conference), Jamie Walker (1988 Reinforced) and Carlos Briggs (1989 Open Conference) as Ginebra’s Best Import winners.
The third import of the Kings after Rashon Turner and Easrnest Brown, Alexander earned 1,413 total points votes to beat Air21’s Steven Thomas (988).
Barangay Ginebra has won 17 of its 21 basketball gammes this conference with Alexander who leads the basketball league in rebounding (20.8), shotblocks (3.2) and field-goal percentage (58.2%) while also averaging 19.2 points and 2.1 assists per basketball gamme.
With Helterbrand and Alexander at the helm and with help from Caguioa, who is the conference’s top local basketball scorer, Barangay Ginebra reach the Finals for the 17th time in basketball franchise history.
In seven previous basketball conferences where teammates won Best Player of the Conference and Best Import plums, their teams went on to win the basketball championship six times.
Statistics and votes from media members accounted for 30 percent each in the criteria for selection. Votes from players account for 25 percent, the league’s television partner ABC-5 vote 10 percent while the Commissioner’s Office is five percent of the criteria.
The voting was conducted before Game 1 of the Fiesta Cup basketball championship between Air21 and Baranga Ginebra, which went on to lose the gamme ironically after so-so performances from Helterbrand and Alexander.
Helterbrand said it is an honor for him to be named BPC, but his priority is to help Barangay Ginebra win its eighth PBA basketball championship.
“I’m happy, but this would mean nothing if we don’t win the basketball championship. For me that’s what it’s all about, winning a basketball championship,” Helterbrand said.
Helterbrand, who will turn 32 on October 14, is averaging a basketball conference-best 6.3 assists, 18.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in the tourney while shooting 38% from three-point range. (WG)
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Jayjay Helterbrand Bags Best Player of the Conference Honors
Friday, February 22, 2008
Kelly Williams Named Best Player of the Conference: Son of Cebuana Mother is First-ever Realtor to Win Conference MVP Plum
You're probably wondering why this article is posted here as Kelly Williams is a Sta. Lucia Realty player.
Yes, I agree. But let me just take this opportunity to feature and congratulate one of my favorite players aside from our very own Magnolia Beverage Masters.
This guy is phenomenal. He's an epithome of hardwork and great work ethics. You had probably seen how his career blossomed in less than two years. Despite his achievements, he remain a humble person and continuously improves his game to the next level.
And oh, don't you remember that he was supposed to be one of Beermen if he was not taken by the Realtors in the draft two seasons ago? I'm just wondering where our team would be if he was around?
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Kelly Williams Named Best Player of the Conference: Son of Cebuana Mother is First-ever Realtor to Win Conference MVP Plum
Source: PBA.PH
Machine Gun Kelly is on a fiery roll, gaining yet another feather in his cap in only his sophomore year in the local pro league.
Prized Sta. Lucia Fil-Am player Kelly Williams won a Best Player of the Conference award after taking the Rookie of the Year honors last season.
Williams was the first Sta. Lucia player ever to win a Best Player of the Conference award.
Marlou Aquino and Danny Seigle were the only players to win the same award on a quicker pace. Both players won a BPC plum in their rookie years in the league – in 1996 and 1999, respectively. Aquino won it while still with Ginebra in the 1996 Governors Cup while Seigle won it with the Beermen in the 1999 Governors Cup.
"It’s a big honor for me to win this award. I’m sharing this with my teammates. Without them, I wouldn’t get this," said Williams, whose mother, Andrea, is from Cebu.
The 6-foot-5 high-flyer, a member of the RP team in the recent FIBA Asia Olympic qualifier in Tokushima, Japan, said he’ll be happier if they win the Smart PBAPhilippine Cup championship.
Williams was the runaway winner of the award as he gained the nod of the media, ABC Sports and the Commissioner’s Office. He placed second to Santos in the statistical race.
Williams amassed 1393 overall points to Miller’s 878, Raymundo’s 810, Santos’ 413 and Taulava’s 390.
Being the BPC winner, Williams will automatically make it as candidate for the season’s MVP award.
Before Game Four, Williams was averaging 18 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
He’s one of only six players averaging in double-double in the tourney and had made aleague-high 19 double-double outings after Game Three.
Williams emerged the top rookie last season, beating Santos for the award. Both made it to the Mythical Second Team.
The two players, who were Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the 2007 Draft, figured in a close fight in the stats race in the Philippine Cup. But while Williams was able to boost his team all the way to the finals, Santos and his team were booted out after the wildcard round.
Williams has providing the Realtors not just the scoring, rebounding and defense but all the intangibles not reflected on the stats sheets.
Recent history favors Williams in the MVP race, as nine of the last 10 winners of the trophy in the last 10 regular seasons have come from the all-Filipino champion. (NC)
