2018 Defensive Player of the Year and the All Defensive Team

(c) PBA Media Bureau

Today, we will talk about the least glamorous award in basketball, the Defensive Player of the Year. 
Who was the best in magnifying the defensive ability of his team?

That is the question that I want to answer in this one. Last season, they gave it to Chris Ross.

He was joined by June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Gabe Norwood and Jio Jalalon on the All Defensive Team.

So, what I did was to form the All Defensive Team first and then decide who is the most deserving DPOY.

Andy Barroca
Call him Mr. Steal. The Coffee Prince averaged more than 1.9 steals per game in each conference. The ability to steal the ball is a premium skill for any player. 

Remember that a steal will end the possession of the opponent and will give an early advantage for your offense.

Barroca is so good at stealing but also discipline in his approach. He averaged less than 2.7 fouls per game. It is a good indication of proper defensive approach and positioning.

Chris Exciminiano
One of the few legit defensive role players in the league. Chris knows that it is not his role to put the ball into the basket. His role is to stop the ball of the opponent from going into the basket.

Chris doesn't play that much minutes but his impact in the game is always felt. For the three conferences, he posted a positive net rating. Meaning, on average they outscore their opponent every time he was on the floor.

Calvin Abueva
The Beast basically played on two conferences. And on those two conferences, his defensive impact was felt. In terms of rebounding, he was 6th in the Philippine Cup and 2nd in the Governors' Cup along local players.

Abueva is an energetic one-on-one stopper who has the ability to stay with his assignment off-the-ball. His premium offering is his ability to protect the rim. With his jumping prowess and his energy, Abueva was an able secondary rim protector.

Arwind Santos
Santos continues to live up to his moniker, The Spiderman. Even though his age continues to increase, Santos impact on the defensive end was still the same.

He averaged more than a steal and more than a block in two conferences! That is a testament to how superb he on the defensive end. In their 2018 Philippine Cup conquest, Santos was the 3rd best shot blocker. His experience was also evident by his very low 2.2 fouls per game.

June Mar Fajardo
Even though Fajardo was injured and did not play 100% on the Governors' Cup, his showing on the first two conferences should be enough to award him the center spot of this team. 

Fajardo was the 2nd best shot-blocker in the Philippine Cup. He also has enough mobility to stay with faster players.


DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - ARWIND SANTOS

The biggest mistake of those who are deciding who should be DPOY was magnifying pure defensive stalwarts and making it a negative for those who can do something on the offensive end that they can do something on the offensive end.

Santos is not only a great defensive player but also a reliable offensive weapon. Arwind was a positive net player on the first two conferences where they reached the Finals and got one championship. 

Santos ability to protect the rim, guard any player in the court and glue defenses made him the perfect defensive player this year.