PBA MVP 2023: Top Contenders and Their Winning Strategies Revealed

As I sit here analyzing the PBA's evolving landscape, I can't help but feel genuinely excited about the 2023 MVP race. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've noticed this season feels particularly special - there's an electric energy surrounding the contenders that reminds me of the league's early days. Speaking of which, I recently came across something fascinating about the upcoming 2025 Reinforced Conference uniforms that triggered this thought process. The new designs are reportedly drawing direct inspiration from the league's inaugural 2017 campaign jerseys, which happens to be particularly meaningful since that was also an import-heavy tournament. This nostalgic callback creates an interesting parallel to our current MVP discussion, as the strategies that made teams successful in that import-laden 2017 season are remarkably similar to what we're seeing from this year's top contenders.

Let me break down why this connection matters. The 2017 season taught us that successful teams blend international talent with local leadership seamlessly. Fast forward to 2023, and we're seeing this same principle play out in individual performances. Take June Mar Fajardo - the man's averaging 18.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, but what really impresses me is how he's adapted his game. He's not just relying on his physical dominance anymore; I've noticed he's developed this incredible court vision that creates opportunities for everyone around him. Watching him play feels like witnessing basketball poetry in motion. Then there's Scottie Thompson, whose energy reminds me of those explosive imports from the 2017 season. The guy's putting up near triple-double numbers consistently - 14.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in his last 15 games. What makes him special, in my opinion, is that relentless pursuit of every loose ball. I've counted at least three games this season where his hustle plays directly turned the momentum in Ginebra's favor.

What's particularly interesting to me is how these top contenders have studied past successful strategies. The 2017 season demonstrated that versatility wins championships, and this year's MVP candidates have taken that lesson to heart. CJ Perez has transformed from a pure scorer into a complete two-way player. I've been tracking his defensive improvements specifically - he's averaging 2.3 steals per game while maintaining his 20.5-point scoring average. That dual-threat capability is exactly what made those successful imports stand out in 2017. Meanwhile, Calvin Oftana's development has been nothing short of remarkable. His three-point percentage has jumped from 32% last season to 41% this year, and I believe that kind of measurable improvement should weigh heavily in MVP considerations.

The strategic elements we're seeing this season directly mirror what worked in that foundational 2017 campaign. Teams back then succeeded when their local stars could complement imports rather than just defer to them. Similarly, this year's MVP contenders have shown they can elevate their games to import-level impact without losing their team-first mentality. I've noticed particularly how Christian Standhardinger has mastered this balance - his 16.8 points and 10.5 rebounds don't fully capture his impact. Watch him set screens or make extra passes, and you'll see a player who understands winning basketball beyond statistics.

Looking at the broader picture, the MVP race reflects how Philippine basketball has evolved since 2017. The league has moved toward positionless basketball, and our MVP candidates exemplify this trend. Jamie Malonzo's ability to guard multiple positions while contributing 13.5 points and 7.2 rebounds makes him incredibly valuable in today's game. Meanwhile, Robert Bolick continues to demonstrate why he belongs in this conversation, averaging 19.3 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 38% from three-point territory. Personally, I think his clutch performances - he's made 4 game-winning shots this season - should give him extra consideration in the voting.

As we approach the final stretch of the season, I'm leaning toward Fajardo for the award, but Thompson's recent surge has made this incredibly compelling. The beauty of this race lies in how each candidate embodies different aspects of what made the 2017 season special. They've taken those winning strategies - versatility, leadership, and the ability to perform in big moments - and elevated them to new heights. Whatever the outcome, this MVP race represents the best of what the PBA has become since those formative years, proving that while uniforms might draw inspiration from the past, the league's talent continues to push boldly into the future.