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The 2020 PBA Philippine Cup is played in a unique setting where 12 teams compete within the Smart Giga Clark City bubble, where they are all housed under the same roof during a pandemic. Although the circumstances are different from the others, the competition has remained the same and the best individual performances have been abundant.
With the league’s resources focused on making the bubble successful, the PBA has yet to make plans on how individual awards will be awarded this season. However, let’s review the top five players we think could compete for the PBA bubble MVP, if there is ever going to be one.
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FOR SERVICE
18.56 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.11 apg, 59% FG
All eyes were on Tautuaa even during the first and only game of the season outside the bubble last March as people wanted to see how he would fare as he filled the huge void left by June Mar Fajardo. Well, Tautuaa has shown that he can be San Miguel’s top choice on offense with his ability to mix up the inside and stretch the defense with his outside shots. One of his best nights on the bubble is a 26-point, 14-rebound performance against Blackwater.
PAUL LEE
21.67 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.44 apg, 46% 3pt
Lee is not only very prolific in the PBA bubble, he is also a clutch. As of this writing, Magnolia is 6-4, with Lee sending the Hotshots to victory in some of these games, including against Rain or Shine, where he finished with 31 points. Lee stayed in shape during the season’s stoppage and is paying dividends in the bubble while playing some of the best basketball of his career.
MATTHEW WRIGHT
24.78 ppg, 5.67 rpg, 5.89 apg, 1.56 spg, 39% 3 points
If there is anyone who can be considered the strongest candidate for the MVP award in the bubble, it should be Wright. The Phoenix Super LPG star has thrived with new head coach Topex Robinson with his growing role on the team. Wright set the pace for the Fuel Masters early on when he scored 36 points, one of the best offensive nights in the bubble, against Meralco. When he’s not scoring, he’s facilitating as Wright contributed 10 assists in Phoenix’s big win over five-time defending champion San Miguel.
STANLEY PRINGLE
20.56 ppg, 6.89 rpg, 3.33 apg, 51% FG, 95% FT, 46% 3pt
From the beginning, the Barangay Geneva point guard has been one of the most consistent players in the league. With Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio running late, Pringle has been carrying the Gin Kings on his shoulders with great nights on the offensive side, including a 31-point performance in their game against Alaska. In addition to his usual ways of scoring since his near-unstoppable shots to the basket, the Fil-Am point guard has also shown that he can also be a consistent perimeter scorer and a better free throw shooter in the bubble.
BOBBY RAY PARKS
21.11 ppg, 8.33 rpg, 2.78 apg, 51% FG
One of the main reasons for TNT’s good performance in the bubble is the play of Parks, who has made his mark as a do-it-all player for Tropang Giga. As of this writing, Parks has posted his fourth straight double-double performance and his fifth in this conference after a 17-point, 11-rebound night for the Tropang Giga against Meralco. Parks also made a memorable bubble debut with his 40-point performance against Terrafirma.
