INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Another amateur MVP has made himself available for the Philippine Basketball Association draft, adding luster to this year’s rookie class.

Chris Timberlake, a PBL Finals MVP winner, will lead seven other foreigners with Filipino roots who want to join the pro ranks through the Aug. 2 draft.

“He comes out each game ready to play 100 percent; he’s a true role model,” PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad said of Timberlake, a 5-foot-7 guard who powered the Oracle Titans to their seventh straight title this month.

Timberlake, a former University of North Florida standout who traces his roots in Tarlac, averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.5 blocks in the five-game title series.

Former UAAP MVP Jervy Cruz of University of Santo Tomas and La Salle stalwart Rico Maierhofer lead the local hopefuls.

Other Fil-Am aspirants include PBL players Lance Convento, Josh Urbiztondo, Michael Burtscher, Chris Viardo and Ramsey Williams along with Liga Pilipinas cagers Terrell Theofil and Charles Waters.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood captured the Motolite/Accel-PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week honors after leading the Elasto Painters to a surprising 2-1 lead over the favored Ginebra Kings in their best-of-seven semifinal duel in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Cup.

“I can’t take all the credit. My teammates allow me the space to use my talents,” he said.

Norwood stepped up for the underdog squad which is missing several injured players by averaging 15.3 points and 10.3 rebounds

“Missing some key players, he became more aggressive in offense and defense,” Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia said of the 24-year-old cager, the leading contender for the Rookie of the Year plum.

Norwood unloaded 16 points on top of 10 rebounds and three steals in a 101-95 Rain or Shine triumph in the opener.

The 6-foot-5 Fil-Am registered 13 markers and nine rebounds in a 98-103 Game 2 loss, but responded with a game-high 17 points and 12 boards in a 94-88 victory last Sunday.