Let me tell you something about Philippine basketball that's been keeping me up at night. As someone who's followed the PBA for over a decade, I've seen legends come and go, but this question of who's truly the best player right now? That's what gets fans arguing in coffee shops and online forums until 2 AM. I remember sitting in a sports bar last week watching the Fiba U16 Asia Cup highlights, and the conversation inevitably turned to our professional league. That 106-82 beating Gilas Pilipinas Youth took from Chinese-Taipei in Ulanbataar? Ouch. That scoreline stung, but it also got me thinking about what separates good players from truly great ones, and how our current PBA stars measure up.

Now, when we talk about the best player in PBA today, three names immediately jump to my mind - June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, and CJ Perez. Let's start with the obvious one, shall we? June Mar Fajardo is like that reliable old truck your grandfather swore by - not flashy, but gets the job done every single time. The man has six MVP trophies sitting on his shelf! Six! I've lost count of how many times I've seen him dominate the paint with that effortless-looking 20-point, 15-rebound stat line. But here's what really impresses me about June Mar - his consistency. While watching that disappointing Fiba U16 game where our youth team gave up 106 points, I couldn't help but think about how Fajardo would've anchored that defense. His basketball IQ is just on another level, something our young players clearly need to develop based on that 24-point beating they suffered.

Then there's Scottie Thompson, who I personally think brings the most unique skill set to the game. The man rebounds like a big man despite being a guard, and his triple-doubles aren't just statistical anomalies - they're game-changing performances. I recall this one game against Ginebra last season where he literally willed his team to victory with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. That's the kind of all-around excellence that makes me lean toward calling him the best. But here's where it gets tricky - while Thompson excels in multiple categories, his scoring sometimes takes a backseat, and in close games, you need that go-to scorer who can get you buckets when nothing else is working.

Which brings me to CJ Perez, the human highlight reel. Man, when this guy gets going, it's like watching poetry in motion. His 34-point explosion against Magnolia last conference had me jumping off my couch. The energy, the explosiveness, the sheer will to score - it's something special. But consistency has been his Achilles heel, and watching our youth team struggle defensively in Mongolia made me realize that being the best isn't just about offensive fireworks. Defense wins championships, and that's where Perez still has room to grow compared to the other two.

You know what really separates these PBA stars from the pack? It's their mental toughness, something that was noticeably absent in that Gilas Youth performance. When Chinese-Taipei went on that 15-2 run in the third quarter, our young players seemed to collapse mentally. Meanwhile, I've seen Fajardo play through double teams all game without losing composure, Thompson make clutch plays in final minutes, and Perez shake off bad shooting nights to hit game-winners. That mental fortitude, developed through years of PBA battles, is what makes the discussion about the best player so fascinating.

If you're asking me to pick one? Right now, I'd go with Scottie Thompson, but honestly, it changes every week. What's clear is that our PBA has multiple players who could legitimately claim that top spot, each bringing something different to the table. And that depth of talent makes our league incredibly exciting to follow, even as we work to develop the next generation who won't suffer beatings like that 106-82 loss to Chinese-Taipei. The future looks bright, but the present? Man, we're spoiled with talent in the PBA right now.