PBA Rookie Rankings Weeks 6-7: Slaughter leads by a mile

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Greg Slaughter is by far the most consistent rookie in the 2013-2014 PBA Season. Slaughter, the 7-footer from Ateneo University, was the top pick in the PBA draft last year, and it’s no coincidence that he is followed in the Rookie Rankings by the draft’s second selection Ian Sangalang of the San Mig Coffee Mixers. A pair of rookies from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Globalport Batang Pier make appearances as well. For the complete list, scroll down.

1. (Last week: 1) Greg Slaughter, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (—)

15.3 PPG, 10 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.0 BPG, 44.71 EFF

Greg Slaughter is leading everybody else by a mile. He easily chipped in a double-double after June Mar Fajardo got sidelined on Christmas Day; his huge presence alone—literally and figuratively—has helped Ginebra throughout the conference.

2. (Last week: 2) Ian Sangalang, San Mig Coffee Mixers (—)

 10.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 26.24 EFF

Ian Sangalang keeps the number two spot in this edition of the Rookie Rankings. Although the former San Sebastian College standouts numbers dipped a bit, Sangalang is a workhorse whenever he’s on the court. I bet it won’t be long before the 6-foot-6 former NCAA MVP becomes San Mig’s main attraction in the frontcourt.

3. (Last week: 5) Terrence Romeo, Globalport Batang Pier (▲) 

14.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.3 SPG, 27.8 EFF

It’s good to see Romeo logging double-digits in scoring once again, but that shooting percentage is in desperate need of improvement. As of this writing, the reigning UAAP MVP from Far Eastern University is firing at .356% from the field. With second-leading scorer Sol Mercado out with an injury, the Batang Pier will rely more on their flamboyant rookie for offense.

4. (Last week: n/a) Raymond Almazan, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (▲)

4.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 20.96 EFF

Making their debut in the Rappler Rookie Rankings are Rain or Shine’s hardworking rookies. Raymond Almazan finally exploded in their blowout win against San Mig Coffee with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. From the start of the conference, people knew he’ll be a great fit for Coach Yeng Guiao and he is getting into the groove.

5. (Last week: n/a) Alex Nuyles, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (▲)

4.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 14.58 EFF

Alex Nuyles had his own share of the spotlight in the Elasto Painters’ 98-87 drubbing of Globalport, where the former Adamson Soaring Falcon notched 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Guiao said during the PBA draft that it was his intention to pick Nuyles to strengthen their wings, and it looks like the ninth overall pick is doing just that.

The sixth man

(Last Week: 4) RR Garcia, Globalport Batang Pier (▼)

9.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 21.14 EFF

Garcia takes a little slide this week, but Globalport’s cat-quick rookie maintains an impressive performance each night. With Mercado out, expect Garcia and Romeo to join hands and lead Globalport’s backcourt. –Rappler.com