PBA best player race: Lieutenant leadership

MANILA, Philippines – The PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup 2014 is on its third week. Before we dive into the games, here’s week 2 of Rappler’s Race to the Best Player of the Conference.

1. (Last week: 1) LA Tenorio, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

14 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 9 APG, 3 SPG, 37 EFF

LA Tenorio is a silent operator. He may not be the most talked about name in the most famous team in the country right now, but he gets the job done. He currently leads the league in assists and steals and there’s no stopping LA from blowing past his defenders. He’s the main reason why Ginebra is clicking on all cylinders right now.

2. (Last week: 7) June Mar Fajardo, Petron Blaze Boosters

15.3 PPG, 17.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.3 SPG, 2.33 BPG, 66% FGs, 46 EFF

After pouring 21 points and 25 rebounds against San Mig Coffee, June Mar Fajardo climbs to the number two spot this week. The Mixers had no answer for The Kraken. Fajardo’s establishing himself as the most dominant big man in the PBA today and fans cannot wait for his much-anticipated Christmas Day showdown against the Ginebra frontline, particularly 7-foot rookie center Greg Slaughter.

3. (Last week: 3) Arwind Santos, Petron Blaze Boosters 

16 PPG, 12 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 2 BPG, 42.32 EFF

Arwind Santos continues to impress observers after two weeks. His baseline jumper has been money for Petron. He defends and hustles tirelessly showing he is getting into his MVP form.

4. (Last week: 4) Japeth Aguilar, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

18.3 PPG, 8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.3 SPG, 3 BPG, 65% FTs, 41.35 EFF

We would like to emphasize that Japeth Aguilar is the most athletic big man in the Ginebra roster. The high-flyer is proving he is transforming into a do-it-all forward. Through three games, Aguilar did it all for Ginebra—scoring, rebounding, and defending the paint. He is having a fantastic conference so far.

5. (Last week: 8) Jayson Castro, Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters

22.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 44 EFF

The reigning Best Player of the Conference waxed hot for a career-high 33 points in Talk ‘N Text’s overtime win against Alaska. He’s the current scoring leader of the Tropang Texters and is second in rebounds, assists, and steals. If he stays healthy, TNT will go a long way in this conference.

6. (Last week: 6) Chris Lutz, Petron Blaze Boosters

14.7 PPG, 6 RPG, 8.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 33.58 EFF

Chris Lutz stepped up when Petron lost their best court generals (Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross are both injured). The Smart Gilas standout played the point and dished out 13 assists in their win against San Mig Coffee, while getting it done on both ends of the floor. It looks like Lutz is forming a dreaded trio together with Fajardo and Santos.

7. (Last week: 2) Jay Washington, GlobalPort Batang Pier

19 PPG, 11 RPG, 2 APG, 0.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 83% FTs, 40.87 EFF

Jay Washington created a lot of matchup problems as a stretch forward against Ginebra. Even if GlobalPort succumbed to Ginebra’s size, Washington’s versatility stood out. He has a huge task of propelling the Batang Pier to greater heights this year. J-Wash must continue performing well to help the young squad succeed.

8. (Last week: 10) Sonny Thoss, Alaska Aces

13.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 73% FTs, 37.68 EFF

Sonny Thoss remains the steadiest player in an Alaska uniform. He’s almost averaging a double-double and continues to operate efficiently down the block. And with Aldrech Ramos’ drastic improvement and Gabby Espinas’ consistent showing, The Boss will have more guys complimenting his inside game.

9. (Last week: 5) Sol Mercado, GlobalPort Batang Pier

14.7 PPG, 5 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 31.33 EFF

There’s no letting up in Sol Mercado’s numbers even with Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia’s breakout games. His outputs may have slightly dipped but he’s still the leader of the Batang Pier. The three could actually form an unstoppable backcourt trio for GlobalPort and help the team go up in the standings.

10. (Last week: 12) Joseph Yeo, Air21 Express

19.3 PPG, 5 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.3 SPG, 31% 3 PT FGs, 94% FTs, 38.65 EFF

While awaiting Mac Cardona’s Air21 debut, Joseph Yeo stepped up big time, leading the team in scoring and assists. He also played the point guard spot occasionally as the Express searches for a legitimate point guard. Sadly, he can’t carry the team alone. Air21 is yet to take off.

The next 5:

11. Cyrus Baguio, Alaska Aces – 16.3 PPG, 3 RPG, 3.8 APG, 0.8 SPG
12. Mark Caguioa, Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel – 17.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.3 APG
13. Greg Slaughter, Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel – 15 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 2.3 BPG
14. Terrence Romeo, GlobalPort Batang Pier – 24.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.3 SPG
15. Ronjay Buenafe, Barako Bull Energy – 17.3 PPG, 3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.7 SPG

Outside looking in:

16. Asi Taulava, Air21 Express – 10.3 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1 SPG, 0.8 BPG
17. Gary David, Meralco Bolts – 19 PPG, 5 RPG, 2 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG
18. Mark Barroca, San Mig Coffee Mixers – 16.5 PPG, 5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG
19. Marc Pingris, San Mig Coffee Mixers – 12.3 PPG, 9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
20. Mike Cortez, Meralco Bolts – 8.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.7 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG
– Rappler.com

---

READ PBA RANKINGS ARTICLES:

PBA BPC Race week 1: Tenorio leads star-studded Ginebra

PBA Power rankings week 1: The favorites

PBA Rookie rankings week 1: Romeo shoots his way to the top