INQUIRER Sports

INSTRUMENTAL in their team?s stirring early-season runs, Alaska?s Reynel Hugnatan and Mark Cardona of defending champion Talk ?N Text grabbed the limelight two weeks into the KFC All-Filipino Cup.

Hugnatan, the 6-foot-4 power forward, helped the Aces improve to 4-0 by averaging 17 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in Alaska?s last two victories.

Cardona, the 6-foot guard who was named Finals MVP last year, was just as impressive with a 20.5 point clip that went with his 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals to help the Texters remain unbeaten in three games.

Their solid performances earned them the KFC/Accel-PBA Press Corps? Co-Players of the Week for the period Oct. 19 to 25.

?We?ve made a concerted effort to get Reynel the ball in the post and it is paying off,? said coach Tim Cone of the Negros Occidental native, who had 14 points and four rebounds in a 100-79 win over Coca-Cola last Friday.

Hugnatan also did most of the damage in the 105-96 tripping of Barangay Ginebra, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds.

Cardona pumped in 16 points in a 103-70 demolition of Smart Gilas and 25 in a 100-83 triumph over Sta. Lucia Realty.

But Texters coach Chot Reyes said there?s more reason for Talk ?N Text supporters to be happy with Cardona.

?I think for the first time since he came to the league, he?s not in the top 10 in turnovers,? said Reyes. ?And he gets his points now with fewer shots.?