It might be surprising for some but many already have high hopes of who is the leading contender in the Best Import race – Mike Watkins of NLEX.

The big man from the state of Pennsylvania floored the likes of TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Barangay Ginebra’s Justine Brownlee, and George King of Blackwater who has held the top-scoring import in the ongoing PBA Commissioner Cup.

Watkins has raked an incredible 54.9sps even before this week’s mid-season conference commencement. Comprised by numbers of 25.4 points, 1.9 assists, and 24.1 rebounds per game, the number to beat in the league.

Behind this feat is Kadeem Jack of Northport who accumulated an impressive 50.7sps which is backed by the numbers of 30.3 points, 11.4 assists, 11.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks each game. 

The three-time Best Import and Ginebra’s reinforcement, Justine Brownlee, on the other hand, takes the not-too-shabby third place with 50.2sps which he accumulated from averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Rounding up the Top 5 is Phoenix Donovan Smith with 49.5sps and Dean Thompson of Rain or Shine with 48.3sps.

Despite the already amazing logs of the aforementioned imports, George King of Blackwater Bossing leads all of them in scoring with 37.2 points. He is expected to take the sixth spot while the two-time Best Import winner, Hollis Jefferson, is still on the run to enter the Top 5 with his 47.3sps.

Watkins might be on track to become the Best Import this season, but his time playing in the Cup might be cut short after his heated exchanges with NLEX coach Jong Uichico. The latter was heard shouting “You go home” to the 6-foot-9-giant during their team’s clash against Meralco last January 10 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

The incident occurred during the late third quarter when both teams were in the game’s crucial run. Coach Uichico pulled out the Penn State import with 3:55 on the clock, the same time the Meralco Bolts were in the zone, leading the clash with 64-61 on the board. 

With 1:51 to go, the two eventually cooled down, and Uichico put back Mike Watkins in the game, replacing rookie Brandon Ramirez. However, despite the smart decision, the Road Warriors still managed to overwhelm the Bolts, logging 105-91. This is the fourth consecutive defeat for NLEX for a 3-6 record. 

Meanwhile, the source mentioned that many NLEX players commended the Best Import contender for he later apologized to the Road Warriors’s coach in the team dugout after the game. Some suggested that the exchange was in the heat of the moment, considering the team’s standing in the game and the league in general. This gesture could mean that Watkins would continue his journey and not “go home.” 

Though Watkins’ efforts were incapable of bringing his team the well-needed victory, his game performance was still one for the books. He impressively logged a post-game score of 38 points and 21 rebounds with 15-of-22 efficient shooting from the field.