Three-Way Race for PBA 2012-2013 Season MVP

The annual PBA awards is set to take place this Friday, October 18, right before tip-off for Game 4 of the ongoing finals series between Petron Blaze Boosters and San Mig Coffee Mixers for the 2013 PBA Governor's Cup. This year has been full of controversy and lots of exciting actions with it being the first time in several years wherein there are three different teams winning the championship crown at the end of three conferences. Talk N Text already holds the All-Filipino Cup title, then Alaska Aces taking home the Commissioner's Cup crown.

Hence, it is a tight race for the MVP title this year with several players stepping up their game for a well contested season. But three players emerge on top of the race, which unsurprisingly, are also three of the players who have won the Best Player of the Conference awards for the past three conferences. These players are namely Arwind Santos of the Petron Blaze Boosters, LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra, and Jason Castro of Talk N Text Tropang Texters. All of the three candidates are gunning for their first MVP win.

Aside from the three top candidates, superstar rookie Calvin Abueva was previously pegged as a potential candicate for MVP while he is also in the running for a Rookie of the Year award. However, Arwind Santos edged him out of the race especially since the former is the current statistical leader. Thus, Calvin Abueva won't be realizing the hopes of many for him to repeat Benjie Paras' unique feat in 1989 wherein he won the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards at the same year.

Speaking of the Rookie of the Year award, Abueva is joined by Petron's June Mar Fajardo as leaders for the race, although the former has a slight edge in the statistical points.

Who do you think will win the MVP race?

PBA 2013 Governor's Cup Finals Schedule [UPDATED]

www.pba.inquirer.net

On Monday, the Petron Blaze Boosters came up with a convincing win against defending champs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to secure a finals berth against the San Mig Coffee Mixers. The two teams dominated their opponents in the Semifinals round, each winning their respective series in a 3-1 standing.

San Mig Coffee Mixers first booked their date at the finals last Sunday after defeating the Meralco Bolts. Meanwhile, Petron lost their first game in the tournament since dropping their first outing against Meralco Bolts last Saturday, forcing a Game 4 in the series.

The finals showdown is going to be an interesting duel because now-San Mig Coffee Mixers assistant coach Olsen Racela was the head coach for Petron last conference. However, SMC management decided to replace his spot with Gee Abanilla after the former failed to bring Petron to the finals despite having a strong start in the conference. Petron's story leading to the finals is also riddled with controversies including the choking incident with their import Renaldo Balkman, which prompted the Commissioner to not only suspend Balkman for the season but ban the import for life from playing in the league.

With two of the stronger teams competing against each other in the PBA 2013 Governor's Cup finals, it is expected to be a good one. Don't miss a single game and take note of the game schedules here:

October 11, 2013 (Mall of Asia Arena)

Petron Blaze Boosters vs San Mig Coffee Mixers - 8:00 PM

October 13, 2013 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

Petron Blaze Boosters vs San Mig Coffee Mixers - 6:45 PM

October 16, 2013 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

Petron Blaze Boosters vs San Mig Coffee Mixers - 8:00 PM

October 18, 2013 (Mall of Asia Arena)

Petron Blaze Boosters vs San Mig Coffee Mixers -8:00 PM

UPDATE:

October 20, 2013 - Game 5 (Mall of Asia Arena)

Petron Blaze Boosters vs San Mig Coffee Mixers - 4:45 PM

Which team do you think will win the finals?

PBA 2013 Governor's Cup Semis Schedule

Image: pba-online.net

The first round of basketball action is over and done with at the ongoing Semifinals round for the battle to get the PBA 2013 Governor's Cup crown. Petron Blaze Boosters and San Mig Coffee Mixers drew the first blood in their matchups against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Meralco Bolts, respectively.

After surviving a do-or-die game against the Alaska Aces last Friday, Tim Cone's San Mig Coffee Mixers exploit their momentum to push them past Meralco Bolts in order to get a one-game advantage in their series. Meanwhile, Petron Blaze Boosters continue their winning streak after besting head coach Yeng Guiao's squad in a 91-83 game.

Check out below for the remainder of the semis schedule for the PBA 2013 Governor's Cup semifinals round:

October 1, Tuesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

San Mig Coffee Mixers vs Meralco Bolts - 7:15 PM

October 2, Wednesday (Cuneta Astrodome)

Petron Blaze Boosters vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - 7:15 PM

October 4, Friday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

San Mig Coffee Mixers vs Meralco Bolts - 7:15 PM

October 5, Saturday (Cuneta Astrodome)

Petron Blaze Boosters vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - 6:45 PM

The schedule for Games 4 and 5 (if necessary) are to be announced soon.

Both series are going to be a best-of-five contest, which means the first team to get three wins move on to the finals. Which two teams do you predict to make the finals?