THE Best Import for the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup will either be Justin Brownlee or Renaldo Balkman, fittingly.
The race for the award is down to the two of them as both prolific reinforcements were able to carry Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel to the finals despite atrocious starts.
It is expected to be a tight battle between the two good pals, who teamed up to lead Alab Pilipinas to its first crown in the Asean Basketball League just over two months ago.
At the moment, Brownlee leads Balkman in statistical points.
The resident Ginebra import was able to compile 54.46 SPs as he led the Gin Kings to their third finals stint with him at the helm.
Balkman isn’t far behind, though, norming 51.03 SPs.
It is expected to go down-the-wire as both do-it-all players continue to lead their team as they battle in the best-of-seven championship series with Ginebra currently ahead 1-0.
Brownlee helped his bid for his first Best Import award after exploding for 42 points in Game 1 of the finals Friday night.
In Ginebra’s last three games, Brownlee has scored over 40 twice.
Rain or Shine import Reggie Johnson actually had the lead previously but with the Elasto Painters bowing out in the semifinals, his chances went down the drain as well.
The award will be given prior to the start of Game 4 this coming Friday, along with the Best Player of the Conference where June Mar Fajardo leads the race.
Fajardo is expected to win yet another BPC plum despite a good challenge from Alaska’s Vic Manuel and GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle.