SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – Japeth Aguilar has proven to be the steadiest player in a Ginebra uniform all conference, as proven by his game-winning shot against Meralco that pulled his team out of the fire. On the strength of that performance and others like it, Aguilar takes the top spot in the latest edition of Rappler’s PBA Best Player Race.
1. (Last week: 2) Japeth Aguilar, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (▲)
20.4 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.3 SPG, 4 BPG, 54% FGs, 44.71 EFF
With no timeouts left, your team down by two and 11 seconds on the clock, who is most likely to hit the game-winning basket? Japeth Aguilar. He’s done that twice already in the conference. You just can’t leave the Western Kentucky alum open; he’s shooting more than 30% from beyond the arc, aside from being the league’s top blocker and second-best scorer. The way he has developed into a complete package in such a short span is phenomenal, giving Ginebra fans a lot to be excited about.
2. (Last week: 3) Jayson Castro, Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters (▲)
20.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 41% 3-PT FGs, 87% FTs, 40.16 EFF
The Blur. Asia’s best guard. Call him whatever you want. Jayson Castro will give you a sensational performance each night. Against Alaska on Saturday, the lightning-quick guard once again showed just how fast he was, using a variety of moves to lead the Tropang Texters with 16 points and 10 assists. The reigning Philippine Cup’s Best Player has been working overtime to defend his throne.
3. (Last week: 1) June Mar Fajardo, Petron Blaze Boosters (▼)
15.5 PPG, 17.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.4 SPG, 3 BPG, 50% FGs, 46.33 EFF
Fajardo has missed the last few outings due to a knee injury, and the Boosters have felt his absence in a big way. Petron had been dead even in the standings with the rival Ginebra crew on Christmas Day, but were outmuscled by the Gin Kings’ big men Aguilar and Greg Slaughter without Fajardo. The 6-foot-10 Cebuano is averaging over 15 points and 17 boards and leads everybody else in terms of player efficiency. Petron’s playoff hopes hinge on the return of a healthy Fajardo.
4. (Last week: 4) Jay Washington, Globalport Batang Pier (–)
20.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1 BPG, 43.59 EFF
Jay Washington has been steady all conference long, carrying the ailing Globalport crew with a double-double average. He’s currently the league’s top scorer, and when Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes recently tweeted about the former back-to-back PBA Best Player’s consistency throughout the Philippine Cup, fans had one thing to say: put him on the national team. It’s hard to argue with the people there.
5. (Last week: 8) Mark Barroca, San Mig Super Coffee Mixers (▲)
14.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.6 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 34.32 EFF
The ‘Coffee prince’ continues to impress everyone with his dazzling plays on the floor. Against Ginebra on Sunday, Barroca outdueled his fellow playmaker LA Tenorio with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. In fact, the 5-foot-9 guard outrebounded former Smart Gilas teammate and seven-footer Greg Slaughter 7 to 6 in that outing. Barroca steers San Mig’s offense with fluidity, leading his team in scoring, and is one of the league’s top rebounding point guards.
6. (Last week: 6) LA Tenorio, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (–)
11.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 7.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 30.11 EFF
While most of the focus has shifted to Ginebra’s twin towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar, their veteran court general is working with much efficiency. Tenorio currently leads the PBA in assists, bringing out the best of his team’s deep roster. He’s still struggling with his shooting (.375 from the field) but makes up for it with the opportunities he creates for teammates.
7. (Last week: 7) Arwind Santos, Petron Blaze Boosters (–)
16.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 39.55 EFF
Another a non-mover in this week’s Best Player Race is Arwind Santos. With Fajardo out, the reigning PBA MVP worked double-time to provide Petron the toughness inside against Talk ‘N Text’s front court. The 6-foot-4 forward finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks, leading the Boosters to second place in the team standings this week.
8. (Last week: 16) Sonny Thoss, Alaska Aces (▲)
15.8 PPG, 8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 53% FGs, 76% FTs, 37.71 EFF
Back in the upper half of the race for this week is Alaska’s Sonny Thoss, who was responsible for forcing overtime against Talk ‘N Text last Saturday. Thoss is the main reason why the Aces are still relevant in the Philippine Cup, doing it on both ends of the floor with his interior defense and inside scoring.
9. (Last week: 14) Joseph Yeo, Air21 Express (▲)
14.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 35% 3-PT FGs, 84% FTs, 33.66 EFF
Lacking a point guard, Air21 turned to Joseph Yeo for playmaking. The result has been satisfying if you’re a cellar-dwelling team. The 5-foot-11 shooting guard showed his unselfishness and notched his first triple-double against Globalport on Christmas Day, tallying 19 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists for the Express. His efforts alone haven’t been enough to propel Air21 to greater heights in this conference, however.
10. (Last week: 13) Asi Taulava, Air21 Express (▲)
12.8 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 36.6 EFF
Rounding out the top 10 is the evergreen Asi Taulava, who, at age 40, is still playing high level basketball. The 2003 PBA MVP scored 15 points and hauled in a Rodman-esque 26 rebounds in their loss against Meralco, playing over 40 minutes. The 6-foot-9 behemoth is averaging 38 minutes per game in the league and is keeping up with the rest of the PBA’s younger big men.
The next 5:
11. Sol Mercado, Globalport Batang Pier – 20.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 36 EFF
12. Chris Lutz, Petron Blaze Boosters – 15.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 31.41 EFF
13. Greg Slaughter, Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel – 15.3 PPG, 10 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.2 SPG, 2 BPG, 37.83 EFF
14. Marc Pingris, San Mig Super Coffee Mixers – 11.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.5 APG, 0.8 BPG, 33.12 EFF
15. Gary David, Meralco Bolts – 17.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 30.98 EFF
Looking in:
16. Mike Cortez, Meralco Bolts – 12.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 6.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 32.03 EFF
17. Marcio Lassiter, Petron Blaze Boosters – 14.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 30.05 EFF
18. Ranidel De Ocampo, Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters – 13.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 30.69 EFF
19. Jeff Chan, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – 14.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 29.05 EFF
20. KG Canaleta, Air21 Express – 15.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 31.29 EFF – Rappler.com
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