UAAP Player Rankings: Romeo turns beast mode on

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines are keeping each other company down the cellar while Far Eastern University is a surprise occupant at the top after we have reached the first 3rd of the 76th UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

Surprises have rocked the UAAP season so far and with players returning from injury, the tournament is just bound to get more exciting.

Who have been the most impressive UAAP stars so far? Find out in this first edition of our Player Rankings.

 

1. Terrence Romeo, Far Eastern University

22.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 38.9% FG shooting, 92.3% FT shooting

The first 5 games of Season 76 have shown the emergence of Romeo as the league’s best backcourt man. No offense to former MVP and teammate RR Garcia, but Romeo is now the King Tamaraw and, perhaps, King of the UAAP. 

Leading the tournament in points, assists, steals and free-throw shooting percentage, Romeo is a huge part why Far Eastern University has surprised virtually everyone in streaking to the top as the first round nears its end. 

What’s scary is the fact that Romeo is just starting to realize his potential under new coach Nash Racela, who has harnessed the once trigger-happy gunner into a functional team player. Romeo still shoots too much (19 shots per game) and turns the ball over a lot (UAAP-worst 4.4) but has been bringing more good than bad this time for the Tamaraws.

2. Emmanuel Mbe, National University

18.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 60.0% FG shooting, 71.4% FT shooting 

With Alfred Aroga rendered out of the season due to ineligibility, Mbe has more than stepped up to the plate, averaging the best numbers of his UAAP career in a year that has seen two-time MVP and teammate Ray Parks struggle to shoot.

Mbe is efficient in picking his spots and has made more than half his shots while also anchoring the Bulldogs’ defense in the post. The Cameroonian has also been more aggressive in looking for his offense and picking offensive boards, leading the team with the most second-chance points with 6.0 offensive rebounds a game.

 

3. Roi Sumang, University of the East

20.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 37.5% FG shooting, 76.7% FT shooting

The explosive guard has been a joy to witness in his third year in the UAAP. Sumang is like Chris Paul, possessing uncanny playmaking skills while also having the ability to score from inside and out when he wants to.

Like CP3, though, Sumang tends to cruise through the first 3 quarters before asserting himself late in games. Against Adamson, Sumang scored 12 of his 26 points in the 4th quarter, but it wasn’t enough as the Falcons have already built a lead too big for UE to conquer. Against University of Santo Tomas, he came alive in the last period but his teammates ran out of gas. 

If Sumang can be consistent with his play through all four cantos, then the Warriors should live up to the immense preseason hype that surrounded them.

4. Jeron Teng, De La Salle University

17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 41.3% FG shooting, 26.1% FT shooting

The Season 75 Rookie of the Year pushed his numbers up across the board this season, except for one: free-throw shooting. 

Teng has been quite a beast for the Green Archers, but when asked to deliver from the foul line, he has been an absolute bust. The De La Salle University forward has made only 6 of 23 shots from the charity stripe — a 26.1% clip that is the worst among those who have attempted 5 or more shots this season.

It’s probably a mental thing for Teng, but he has to feverishly work on his foul shooting so the Archers won’t lose more games from 15 feet, just like what they did against FEU.

 

5. Ray Parks, National University

19.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 28.8% FG shooting, 76.7% FT shooting

On a quest for a 3rd straight MVP plum, Parks is not helping himself by shooting a pathetic 28.8% from the field. He has been forcing attempts and his shot selection has been spotty at best in their first 5 games.

But Parks has done a good job attacking the basket and fishing for fouls. He has converted on a pretty good 76.7% clip and, in fact, has made more free-throws (46) than field goals (23). His numbers are relatively down from his MVP year in 2012, but expect the wingman to improve as the tournament goes on.

On the bubble: Ryan Buenafe, Jericho Cruz, Charles Mammie, Jeric Teng, RR Garcia.- Rappler.com