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?

Renaldo Balkman and the Choking Incident

Image credit: Spin.ph

The Petron Blaze Boosters entered into their game yesterday, March 8, versus the Alaska Aces with a 5-1 standing. Both teams are tied for first place and the winner of this match would gain solo lead in the ongoing 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup. Hence, fans came in droves at the Smart Araneta Coliseum expecting a tough match between the top two teams of the conference. And that is certainly what the fans got... and then some.

Prior to this game, Renaldo Balkman has shown great performance while suiting up for the Petron Blaze Boosters managing to get five straight wins and shooting to the top of the team standings. But when a series of calls did not turn his way and with his team on the verge of losing the competition for solo leadership, Balkman went from solid baller to a complete madman. To give you an idea as to how quickly the situation went from bad to worse, he ended up shoving and choking his own teammate. Yes, his own teammate. And the teammate in question is no less than team captain Arwind Santos, who is also one of Petron's franchise players.

Watch this clip from InterAKTV to watch the series of actions leading up to the choking incident involving his teammate Arwind Santos:

Right now, fans are enraged at social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Many have even campaigned for getting rid of Balkman, citing the player's unacceptable attitude during yesterday's game as tipping point. As a former NBA player, fans expected more out of Balkman given that he has had his stint at the world's most prestigious basketball league. But I guess you can't teach class.

Since that incident, however, Balkman took to his Twitter account to express his apologies to his teammates, the fans, and most especially to Arwind Santos. Balkman was also summoned to the Commissioner's Office on Monday wherein the penalties to his actions were to be determined.