2017 Most Improved Player: The Top 5 Candidates, So Far

(c) PBA Media Bureau

I am pretty sure you that you are also anticipating improvements by the players of your favorite team. So, how about the top 5 candidate for the Most Improved Player award.

#5 Earl Scottie Thompson
I am big fan of the playing style of Scottie Thompson, but when I look deeper into his numbers, the increase was more of a mirage. Earl's per 36 minutes stats are:
2016 - 9.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists
2017 - 8.9 points,10.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists

So, the bump of his 4.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists production to this year's 7.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists is heavily due to the increase in his playing time. Nevertheless, the improvement is still fantastic. Worthy of the #5 spot.



#4 Simon Enciso
I was high on Enciso in his rookie years but I did not expect this kind of production, this early. When Phoenix traded for him, they gave him the starting PG spot, right away. And I think he was pumped by that and that helped him to develop intoa  13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 40% 3FG player this season.

#3 Raymond Almazan
There are only two players who average double-double this season, they are June Mar Fajardo and the Dark Knight, Raymond Almazan. Almazan is one, if not the most efficient player this season because converting his stats to 36 minutes of play will bring out 20.2 points, 18.0 rebounds and 69.2% FG.

If he can sustain it and if Rain or Shine can have a good run this season, Almazan will be their best MVP bet.

#2 Kyle Pascual
You may not even know that a Kyle Pascual exist in the PBA but the guy is doing a great job in taking over the starting C role of JP Erram in Blackwater. His point production is up by 3.2 and his efficiency is better by 12.3%. Even his defensive rating has blossomed by 10.5.

#1 Chris Newsome
Chris' numbers are truly mesmerizing. He is making 15.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. That is much better than his 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steal last season.

Coach Norman has put more focus on rebounding this season and Newsome has answered the call. Not only that, he had been a better playmaker for his teammates as he get more opportunity to run play