With the final buzzer sounding on the 2024 PBA Governors' Cup, it's time to celebrate the players who left their mark in this season's first conference.

The PBA doesn't hand out conference-specific recognitions, except for the Best Player of the Conference and Best Import award. Typically, end-of-season awards honor standout players across the entire year, but we wanted to highlight players that deserved their own spotlight for the showing they had in the Governors' Cup.

Rather than using traditional statistical points accumulated, we focused on a players' overall impact on winning and offensive and defensive efficiency. Let's take a look at which guys lifted their teams to new heights and shaped the competitive landscape.

(Editor's note: To qualify, the player must have participated in at least 10 games. This list is also positionless, to further highlight the best 10 players for the conference.)

First Team

June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel Beermen)

Fajardo's reign as the league's best player continues. If this conference was any indication, he's far from reaching the final chapter of his dominance. His presence in the paint remains unmatched, even with the influx of reinforcements and younger bigs in the league. At 35, he's still the cornerstone of a talented San Miguel roster.

Over 20 games this conference, Fajardo posted import-like averages of 21.1 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on an impressive 68% true shooting. What remains astounding is his efficiency around the paint, where he connected at a 62% rate, according to InStat. Fajardo has also been automatic on quick decisions -- whether through early seals or exploiting cross-screen matchups set by teammates -- reflecting a 70% field goal percentage on cuts.

This conference, Fajardo has also experimented with a new wrinkle in his game: perimeter shooting, where he shot 42.9% from rainbow country on a modest 1.2 attempts per game. It's a testament to his drive to refine his skill set, even as a nine-time MVP.

Japeth Aguilar (Barangay Ginebra)

Ginebra leaned heavily on Aguilar after trading away Christian Standhardinger and Isaac Go got injured. Aguilar carried the burden of being the main big of the triangle and was also the rim protector on the other end. What's remarkable is that he did a yeoman's job even in the later stage of his career.

Not only did he carry the cudgels as Ginebra's remaining center, but Aguilar also adapted to their quicker pace. He became a rim runner who scored in transition and through short jumpers after Ginebra's guards created opportunities by penetrating the paint and bending the defense.

According to InStat, Aguilar converted an impressive 1.54 points per possession on fast-break opportunities and shot 43.8% on catch-and-shoot attempts from short and long midrange. Averaging 16.2 points on 60.2% shooting efficiency is a luxury that underscores his value, as he consistently delivered high-quality scoring in Ginebra's up-tempo system.

Scottie Thompson (Barangay Ginebra)

Though he faced a slow start while recovering from injury, Thompson quickly reminded everyone why he's regarded as one of the best guards in the league. Once he regained his rhythm, Thompson returned to his dynamic self, and impacted games with unmatched hustle, playmaking, and rebounding from the guard position.

Though not primarily known as a scorer, Thompson proved he could be relied on offensively when it mattered most, averaging 13.7 points and 4.5 assists on an efficient 55.7% true shooting in the playoffs. A key to his scoring success was his driving ability, especially valuable in Ginebra's perimeter-focused offense. Thompson capitalized on defensive gaps, converting at an impressive 78% at the rim when he attacked open lanes and the team garners 1.06 PPP when he's the ball-handler of pick-and-roll, which says a lot about his ability to find teammates off it and can use the screen to his advantage to score easier.

Arvin Tolentino (NorthPort Batang Pier)

Among the All-Governors' Cup First Team members, Tolentino was the only one whose team missed the playoffs. Despite NorthPort's struggles, Tolentino had a solid conference, showcasing his scoring versatility that should not be discounted.

In the eliminations, Tolentino led all local scorers with 23.7 points per game, complemented by solid rebounding at 8.1 per game and four assists per contest. These numbers are even more impressive considering he was likely at the top of opponents' scouting reports, making him the primary focus of their defense. Despite carrying such a heavy offensive load, he maintained one of the highest true shooting percentages among high-volume scorers at 60.8%. Simply put, Tolentino was not only a prolific scorer but one of the best offensive weapons in Philippine basketball.

CJ Perez (San Miguel Beermen)

San Miguel is widely considered one of the deepest teams in the PBA, and a big part of their strength comes from having a dynamic scorer like Perez, who could easily be the main option on any team. Perez's explosive athleticism and scoring versatility make him a constant threat, whether he's driving to the rim, pulling up from midrange, or hitting from beyond the arc. His ability to create his own shot and disrupt defenses opens up the floor for his teammates, allowing San Miguel's other stars to thrive.

The luxury of having CJ Perez is clear when you look at his impressive statline of 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in this conference. What makes him such a perfect fit for San Miguel's system -- centered around Fajardo as the focal point of the offense -- is his ability to complement the team's style of play.

Perez's scoring versatility extends to his proficiency in catch-and-shoot situations, where he's averaging an efficient 1.46 points per possession, a testament to his ability to capitalize on opportunities created by the attention Fajardo draws in the paint. This makes Perez not only a reliable scorer but also an essential piece in spacing the floor and keeping defenses honest.

Second Team

Robert Bolick (NLEX Road Warriors)

Bolick stands out for his all-around game, particularly on offense, where his elite playmaking ability sets him apart. He is capable of dissecting and understanding what the defense gives and NLEX made sure to surround him with enough shooting to complement his ability to draw two to the ball.

It was reflected in his impressive numbers, averaging 19 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 8.5 assists over the 13 games he played. However, his case for a spot on the First Team was hurt by his lackluster long-range shooting. His combined 3-point and 4-point shooting percentage was just 21.9%, the lowest among the top 10 local scorers in the Governors' Cup. Despite this, Bolick's ability to contribute in multiple areas -- scoring, rebounding, and playmaking -- demonstrates his value as one of the most well-rounded and dynamic players in the league.

Alec Stockton (Converge FiberXers)

Now given the responsibility to be the main guy with Converge, Stockton has wasted no time in proving that this trust is well-placed. He has stepped up as a consistent contributor, showing his ability to control the pace of the game while being a reliable scorer and playmaker while impacting the defensive end as well.

After a breakout All-Filipino conference last season, Stockton proved he could follow it up with another stellar performance in the Governors' Cup, averaging 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. What stands out is his shot selection, which highlights the strengths of his evolving skill set as he became a more effective transition player and elite play finisher.

According to InStat, he has scored 1.11 points per possession (PPP) on secondary breaks, showcasing his efficiency driving to the basket at 57%. He's also been impressive in catch-and-shoot situations, posting a 1.46 PPP in this conference. Stockton has found the right balance in his development, positioning himself as a reliable lead offensive option for Converge.

Sedrick Barefield (Blackwater Bossing)

It's safe to say that Barefield lived up to his expectations as the next dynamic scoring guard in the PBA. And yes, although being considered as a rookie for this season, it did not take long before Barefield showed why he has gained success internationally.

For this conference, Barefield is already the fourth-best scorer among locals, averaging 18.7 points per game. While his efficiency of 53.4 TS% can still improve, his scoring ability and aggressive playstyle are undeniable. His quickness and versatility allow him to create his own shot and attack defenders in various ways, from driving to the basket (59% on drives) to hitting jumpers.

As he continues to adjust to the PBA level, particularly in terms of shot selection and consistency, there's no doubt that Barefield has the potential to become one of the league's premier scoring guards.

Jhonard Clarito (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)

Although Clarito's name doesn't appear near the top of the statistical leaderboard this conference, with his counting stats placing him in the 20 to 30 range, there's much more to his game that makes him one of the better two-way players in the league.

His averages of 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists may not be eye-popping compared to others who received recognition, but Clarito consistently gives maximum effort every time he steps on the floor. His tenacity is reflected in his 1.05 points per possession (PPP) on putbacks -- impressive for his position - and his relentlessness in transition, where he scores 1.04 PPP.

On defense, Clarito is just as effective, often tasked with guarding the opposing team's top wings. He limits scoring opportunities in catch-and-drives (0.81 PPP) and post-ups (0.71 PPP) while also displaying excellent screen navigation in pick-and-roll situations, holding ball handlers to a mere 0.72 PPP. His all-around contributions make him a key player on both ends of the floor.

Chris Newsome (Meralco Bolts)

If there is a perfect barometer to gauge how Meralco is playing, it hinges on Newsome's effectiveness. He can contribute in nearly every aspect of the game-scoring, playmaking, and defense, thanks to his overall growth as being the main guy for his team.

Newsome's performance in the past conference can be described as solid, posting averages of 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3 assists on an efficient 56.1 TS%. Known as one of the deadliest midrange scorers in the PBA, Newsome continued to showcase this strength, shooting 54.2% from that area.

One particular aspect of his game that stood out, despite its low frequency, was his effectiveness off screens, where he scored 1.43 points per possession (PPP). This is a play type Meralco can certainly tap into moving forward, creating more movement sets for Newsome to further elevate their offensive attack in future conferences.