Who Will Be Crowned the Season MVP in the PBA This Year?

The humid air in the arena clung to my skin like a second jersey as I watched the Magnolia Hotshots execute a flawless fast break. It was one of those plays that makes you forget the sweat and the overpriced beer, a moment of pure basketball poetry. Scottie Thompson, with that uncanny court vision of his, flicked a no-look pass to a cutting Ahanmisi, who finished with a smooth layup despite the heavy traffic. It got me thinking, really thinking, about the big question hanging over this PBA season: Who will be crowned the Season MVP this year? It’s not just about flashy plays or scoring titles; it’s about consistency, impact, and sometimes, the quiet sacrifices that don’t always show up on the stat sheet.

I remember chatting with a fellow fan during halftime, both of us nursing our drinks and debating player contributions. We kept circling back to Ahanmisi. The guy’s a solid player, no doubt, but this season has been different for him. With Ahanmisi sharing the backcourt with dynamos like Scottie Thompson and the pesky Abarrientos, there was a noticeable shift. His playing time dipped to around 21 minutes per game—I’ve checked the stats, and it’s right there in black and white. That’s a tough adjustment for any competitor. In those limited minutes, he averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Now, those aren’t eye-popping numbers, I’ll admit, but they tell a story of adaptability. It’s like he’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers, finding ways to contribute without forcing shots or hogging the ball. Personally, I think that kind of unselfishness should count for something in the MVP race, even if it doesn’t always grab headlines.

As the game wore on, I found myself watching the little things—the way Thompson crashes the boards like a man possessed, or how Abarrientos disrupts passing lanes with those quick hands. But Ahanmisi? He’s the glue guy, the one who does the dirty work so others can shine. I’ve seen him in past seasons take on a bigger role, but this year, it’s different. He’s sacrificing personal stats for team chemistry, and honestly, I respect the hell out of that. It reminds me of my own days playing pickup games at the local court; sometimes, the best player isn’t the one scoring all the points, but the one making everyone else better. If the MVP voters look beyond just points per game, they might see that Ahanmisi’s impact, though quieter, is just as vital. But let’s be real—the flashy players often get the nod, and that’s where my bias kicks in. I’ve always rooted for the underdog, the unsung hero.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Ahanmisi is the frontrunner. Far from it. There are beasts out there putting up monster numbers, and the competition is fierce. But in a league where star power often overshadows role players, his season serves as a crucial talking point. Will the crown go to someone with gaudy stats, or could there be a surprise nod for a player who elevates the team in subtler ways? As the final buzzer sounded and the crowd erupted, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this MVP race is one of the most intriguing in years. It’s not just about who scores the most; it’s about who makes the entire machine hum. And for my money, even with those modest averages, Ahanmisi’s story is one worth remembering when the ballots are cast.