PBA Rookie rankings: Romeo stays hot

MANILA, Philippines – GlobalPort phenom Terrence Romeo makes it two weeks in a row in the latest edition of Rappler’s PBA Rookie Rankings.

Who placed behind FEU hotshot? Scroll down for week 2 of Rappler’s Rookie rankings.

1. (Last week: 1) Terrence Romeo, GlobalPort Batang Pier 

24.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.3 SPG, 39.5 EFF

Just imagine the immense pressure a player faces whenever playing against Barangay Ginebra. Terrence Romeo got his first taste of the Ginebra crowd on Thursday, and his performance looked disappointing in the early going. He was blocked by Ginebra’s towers, outsprinted by LA Tenorio, and finished with just 5 points in the first half. But when he found his touch, he was hard to stop. Even Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes tweeted how unstoppable he was in the second half where he single-handedly carried the Batang Pier back.

How d'ya spell unstoppable? TERRENCE ROMEO

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) November 28, 2013

He was schooled in the end game by no less than former PBA MVP Mark Caguioa but it proved that Romeo is on a serious mission in the pro ranks.

2. (Last week: 2) Greg Slaughter, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

15 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 2.3 BPG, 39.58 EFF

Greg Slaughter maintains his dominance inside the paint for Ginebra. He tallied his third straight double-double against GlobalPort when he finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds on 8-of-9 shooting. He keeps on getting better and that Ginebra frontline is just too hard to stop.

3. (Last week: 3) Ian Sangalang, San Mig Coffee Mixers

12.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 29.44 EFF

Ian Sangalang is slowly climbing the rookie rankings with consistent performances this week. His best showing came against Air21 where he scored 10 points in second overtime to help the Mixers notch their first victory. 

4. (Last Week: N/A) Raymond Almazan, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

5.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 0.3 APG, 1 SPG, .3 BPG, 22.67 EFF

Fresh from a runner-up NCAA finish, Raymond Almazan did not suit up for Rain or Shine in their season opener. He was hardly a factor in his debut against Meralco where he went scoreless in 14 minutes but he finally showed his presence against Ginebra (9 points, 9 rebounds) and Barako Bull (8 points, 11 rebounds). Coach Yeng Guiao believes Almazan’s height shall be of great use in their campaign but he needs to beef-up to survive banging bodies against other PBA bigs.

5. (Last week: N/A) RR Garcia, GlobalPort Batang Pier

10.3 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 3 APG, 1 SPG, 24.86 EFF

Of course, Romeo’s backcourt partner would also want a taste of the spotlight. After two sub-par showings, Garcia finally exploded for 20 points (4 of 6 from three point range) against Ginebra as he and Romeo teamed up to nearly mount a gigantic comeback. Mikee Romero says GlobalPort will rely on their youngsters and it looks like Garcia will be an integral part of the Batang Pier this conference.

The sixth man

JR Cawaling, San Mig Coffee Mixers

4.5 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 17.44 EFF

With Alex Mallari, PJ Simon, and Joe Devance sidelined for San Mig Coffee, Coach Tim Cone had to utilize his bench and JR Cawaling stepped up. His best game so far is a 15-point burst against Petron Blaze. He shot an accurate 6-of-7 from the field which reminds us of his short stint with Smart Gilas I. He should regain that old, deadly form to be an effective contributor for the Mixers. – Rappler.com

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READ PBA RANKINGS ARTICLES:

PBA Rookie rankings week 1: Romeo shoots his way to the top
PBA BPC Race week 1: Tenorio leads star-studded Ginebra
PBA Power rankings week 1: The favorites