PBA Best Player Race Week 8: Bet on Japeth

MANILA, Philippines – This week, many players have shown that they deserve to be considered the best player in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup. With the elimination phase nearing the home stretch, Rappler gives you its penultimate edition of the PBA Best Player Race below, to give you a guide who the hottest players in the league are right now.

 

1. (Last week: 1) Japeth Aguilar, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (–)

19.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.4 SPG, 3.9 BPG, 53% FGs, 44.26 EFF

In their 90-83 conquest against Barako Bull, Japeth Aguilar once again provided to be one of the game’s premier clutch player, sealing the deal for Ginebra with an and-one off an alley-oop. He finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 swats. One thing is clear: when the game is on the line, you better bet on Japeth.

 

2. (Last week: 7) Arwind Santos, Petron Blaze Boosters (▲)

17.4 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1 SPG, 1.8 BPG, 39.68 EFF

While June Mar Fajardo has been sidelined with a knee injury, the reigning PBA MVP has picked up the cudgels. Arwind Santos stepped up his inside game, notching a 25-point, 10-rebound night against Barako. Although they lost, the Boosters got a big lift from Santos with their other giant on the bench.

 

3. (Last week: 2) Jayson Castro, Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters (▼)

20 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 43% 3 PT FGs, 86% FTs, 39.66 EFF

Talk ‘N Text suffered back-to-back heart-breaking defeats against Air21 (100-102) and Rain or Shine (88-90). In spite of the losing skid, Castro logged in 19.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in those two outings. Come the post-elimination campaign, Castro is one tough guy to match with and he’s exactly the Tropang Texters’ main weapon.

 

4. (Last week: 5) Mark Barroca, San Mig Super Coffee Mixers (▲)

14.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.4 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 33.67 EFF

Mark Barroca is in everybody’s best point guard debate right now with the way he’s playing. Without his reliable performance in the tourney, San Mig won’t come close to rising up from the cellar. Now that they’re a foot away from qualifying for the quarterfinals, the former Smart Gilas player must keep leading his troops.

 

5. (Last week: 3) June Mar Fajardo, Petron Blaze Boosters (▼)

15.1 PPG, 16 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 2.9 BPG, 44.38 EFF

It’s was good to see Petron’s six-foot-10 giant finally return to action against Globalport; in 24 ‘limited’ minutes, Fajardo scored 12 points and hauled down 6 rebounds while being a big presence underneath. The Blaze Boosters are in a grind for the twice-to-beat incentive this week and Fajardo will be counted on to give them the lift they need.

 

6. (Last week: 6) LA Tenorio, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (—)

11.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 7.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 29.97 EFF

Speaking of the best point guards in the league, another Gilas court general makes it to the Top 10 this week. Ginebra’s offense wouldn’t be as effective as has been without the lieutenant, LA Tenorio. Against the Energy, Tenorio chipped in 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists for another efficient performance.

 

7. (Last week: 4) Jay Washington, Globalport Batang Pier (▼)

19.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 40.84 EFF

Taking a slide this week is Jay Washington. Understandably, he’ll miss the rest of Globalport’s elimination round meetings and his absence will surely be felt. The Batang Pier can only hope that JayWash will be able to recover his top form when they reach the playoffs phase.

 

8. (Last week: 11) Sol Mercado, Globalport Batang Pier (▲) 

19.1 PPG, 4 RPG, 4.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 34.47 EFF

With Washington out, it was Mercado’s time to return after missing a few games due to injury; he gave the Batang Pier a much-needed lift in their last two games, averaging 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. Globalport split their last two assignments, with Mercado providing the leadership, intensity, and all-around play whenever he’s on the floor.

 

9. (Last week: 15) Gary David, Meralco Bolts (▲)

17.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 31.95 EFF

When Meralco needed someone to save them against Alaska, scoring champion Gary David had no hesitations whatsoever, firing 24 points to lift his team to a more comfortable position in the team standings. The Bolts will definitely go a long way in the playoffs if their ‘El Granada’ gets going.

 

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

16.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 39.1 EFF

Falling two places to the number 10 spot is Alaska’s Sonny Thoss, who had 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks in their 88-91 downfall against Globalport. The Aces fell short anew, but Thoss steady all conference long for coach Luigi Trillo’s troops.

 

The next 5:

11. Joseph Yeo, Air21 Express – 14.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 6.2 APG, 0.3 SPG, 32.68 EFF 

12. Asi Taulava, Air21 Express – 13 PPG, 14.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 36.98 EFF

13. Greg Slaughter, Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel – 15.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.3 SPG, 2.1 BPG, 38.67 EFF

14. Chris Lutz, Petron Blaze Boosters – 15.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 31.36 EFF 

15. Marc Pingris, San Mig Super Coffee Mixers – 10.9 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 32.03 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. Jared Dillinger, Meralco Bolts – 11.4 PPG, 6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 27.98 EFF

18. Ranidel De Ocampo, Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters 14.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 33.31 EFF

19. Jeff Chan, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – 13.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 27.75 EFF

20. KG Canaleta, Air21 Express – 16.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 31.73 EFF – Rappler.com