INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Jimbo Aquino?s breakthrough performance in the opening week pushed the San Sebastian Stags on top early in the 85th NCAA men?s basketball competition.

After norming only 7.1 points last season, Aquino surprisingly sizzled for an average of 23 points in the Stags? first two victories.

?I have so much confidence this year because of the new system of coach (Ato Agustin),? said Aquino, the first recipient of the Accel/FilOil Player of the Week honor given by the NCAA Press Corps.

Agustin said the six-foot guard from Bamban, Tarlac showed the talent and eagerness to lead the team after the graduation of San Sebastian stars Jason Ballesteros and Jim Viray.

?He?s one of the hardest worker in the team; he?s the team leader,? said Agustin, the former PBA MVP who took over the Stags after Jorge Gallent?s resignation.

Aquino knocked in 18 of his 26 points from beyond the arc to lead the Stags in a stunning 83-77 victory over three-time champion San Beda last Wednesday.

Four days earlier, the 23-year-old Aquino topscored with 20 points to lift the Stags to a 76-64 triumph against Perpetual Help in the season opener.