PBA best player race: Tenorio leads star-studded Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines – Just a week into the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup 2014, we’ve already seen explosive performances from the league’s best players.

Rappler gives you week one of its Race to the Best Player of the Conference – a guide on who are the players playing at the top of their game in the PBA right now. 

1. LA Tenorio, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

13.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 9 APG, 3.5 SPG, 37.69 EFF

LA Tenorio barely missed the Most Valuable Player award last season, finishing only 21 votes behind MVP winner Arwind Santos, and he is playing right now as if he’s proving that he should have won the award. He is facilitating Ginebra’s offense like a well-oiled machine. He almost scored a triple double after tallying 10 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals against Rain or Shine Sunday, November 24. His speed, excellent court vision and tenacity made him hard to stop on opening week.

2. Jay Washington, GlobalPort Batang Pier

17 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1 BPG, 83% FTs, 41.69 EFF

Surprised? Well, Jay Washington is back. After injury-plagued seasons over the past two years, the Best Player of the Conference in the 2010 Fiesta Cup and 2010-11 Philippine Cup is back to his deadly form. He is easily the best big man in the Batang Pier roster and GlobalPort will go a long way if he continues posting significant numbers. Doors might even open for a possible national team stint if he keeps up this type of play.

3. Arwind Santos, Petron Blaze Boosters

15.50 11.00 2.50 0.50 2.00, 41.21 EFF

Arwind Santos is proving he deserves the MVP plum. In opening week, he continues operating silently, hauling down rebounds, defending the post well, and providing offense for the Boosters. His baseline jumper has been effective. He is back playing the power forward spot – a position he is most comfortable playing. More importantly, he wants to stay as Petron’s main man.

4. Japeth Aguilar, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

18.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 3.5 BPG, 65% FTs, 42.83 EFF

Whenever Japeth Aguilar enters the game, people wait for something spectacular to happen. Aguilar’s rise started during the FIBA Asia 2013 where he exerted energy and hustle. Now part of the most popular team in the league, Aguilar continues to soar higher. He’s more than just an athletic dunker now. He’s the most versatile big man in Ginebra and is showing critics he is finally realizing his potential.

5. Sol Mercado, GlobalPort Batang Pier

17 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 34.36 EFF

After leading last year’s Philippine Cup in scoring and assists, some analysts gave last year’s Best Player of the Conference award to Mercado. Unfortunately, the Meralco squad was booted out early, closing Mercado’s window of opportunity. This year, he is making another solid run for that award. He’s relentless on the break, scores in many ways, and gets his teammates involved. He is clearly the leader GlobalPort’s and he’ll be a key to their success this season.

6. Chris Lutz, Petron Blaze Boosters

15 PPG, 7 RPG, 6 APG, 1 SPG, 34.86 EFF

Chris Lutz is having a spectacular start in the season so far. He’s been very aggressive and, when healthy, can do a lot of things with the basketball. Lutz had to shake off some injuries during his first two years and now that he’s at 100%, Petron Blaze is assured of having a two-way player. He’s one tough defender and a legitimate scorer.

7. June Mar Fajardo, Petron Blaze Boosters

12.5 PPG, 14 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 59% FGs, 37.54 EFF

June Mar Fajardo has been a consistent performer ever since that explosion he had in the Governors’ Cup finals. He’s clearly Petron’s pillar of strength. He’s been giving the boosters double-doubles night in and night out and his presence in the paint is plus for Petron on both ends of the floor.

8. Jayson Castro, Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters

17.5 PPG, 7 RPG, 4 APG, 1 SPG, 1 BPG, 38.23 EFF

Castro is focused on helping the Tropang Texters clinch their fourth straight Philippine Cup title. He opened the season with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists against Meralco, showing his quickness that earned him the label “Asia’s fastest guard.” When it comes to one-on-one, Castro is hard to stop. He is, after all, the reigning Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference.

9. Cyrus Baguio, Alaska Aces

18.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3 APG, 1 SPG, 40% 3-PT FGs, 31.27 EFF

Baguio has been the most consistent performer for Alaska so far. Even if they fell to 1-2 this week, Baguio’s silently picking up great numbers and he’s leading the Aces in scoring. JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros have been slightly off on opening week. Thankfully, Baguio’s right there to step up.

10. Sonny Thoss, Alaska Aces

12.7 PPG, 8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 52% FGs, 33.62 EFF

Sonny Thoss knows he isn’t the most popular name in the PBA, but he has been effectively working to help Alaska’s cause. He’s the best inside operator for the Aces and has been steady so far.

The next 5:

11. Asi Taulava, Air21 Express – 15.5 PPG, 15.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.0 BPG
12. Joseph Yeo, Air21 Express – 23 PPG, 5 RPG, 4.5 APG
13. Gary David, Meralco Bolts – 25 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
14. Mike Cortez, Meralco Bolts – 9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
15. Greg Slaughter, Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel – 14 PPG, 13 RPG, 2 APG, 2.5 BPG

Outside looking in:

16. Jervy Cruz, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – 9.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.3 SPG
17. Ronjay Buenafe, Barako Bull Energy – 19 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.5 SPG
18. Terrence Romeo, GlobalPort Batang Pier – 23.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.5 SPG
19. Gabby Espinas, Alaska Aces – 9.7 PPG, 10 RPG, 2 APG
20. Cliff Hodge, Meralco Bolts – 8 PPG, 9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 2 BPG

– Rappler.com