NCAA Season 93’s Best 7: Week 8

With the collegiate season in full swing, INQUIRER lists the week’s top seven performers in the ongoing NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament. From their game statistics to their overall impact in the outcomes, everything is weighed to come up with the best players from the week that was.

Forty-five games done, and it seems like the battle lines have already been drawn.

Lyceum and San Beda have established control of the field, but the rest of the pack are not far behind, with leaders already gearing up for the homestretch of the eliminations come the second round.

However, we must first put the spotlight on the first round as last year’s Final Four teams took center stage and rounded out their schedules.

Here’s our list of this week’s top performers.

1. Javee Mocon – F, San Beda Red Lions
19 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Last Week: N/A

Hard work pays off, especially for Javee Mocon.

Playing second fiddle behind leader Robert Bolick all season long, the versatile forward finally gained his share of the spotlight as he helped San Beda close out the first round on a seven-game winning streak.

Mocon may not get the lion’s share of the limelight for the Red Lions, but there’s no doubt that his contributions are largely to blame for his side’s ascent this NCAA season.

2. Robert Bolick – G, San Beda Red Lions
23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Last Week: N/A

What a way for Bolick to cap off the first round.

Allowing his teammates to step up in the past few games, the swingman finally took the baton and torched the net early in San Beda’s 95-70 thumping of Arellano, getting his baskets in the first half to set the tone for the blowout.

The game may have been billed as a Finals rematch, but just like in last year’s championship duel, Bolick remains to be the Chiefs’ bane and made the Red Lions no match for the opposition.

3. Aaron Bordon – G, JRU Heavy Bombers
17 points (8/14 FG), 4 assists
Last Week: N/A

Coach Vergel Meneses continues to stumble on surprise contributors for Jose Rizal University, this time, unearthing Aaron Bordon.

The transferee from Cavite State University stepped up and tallied a career-best 17 points to provide the offensive boost for the Heavy Bombers in their close 68-59 escape of Mapua.

If Bordon sustains his form, it shouldn’t be a surprise that JRU can hold on to its standing and move on once again to the Final Four.

4. Donald Tankoua – C, San Beda Red Lions
15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block
Last Week: N/A

Slowly but surely, Donald Tankoua is getting his groove back.

Evoking memories of last season’s Finals, the Cameroonian big man churned out his best outing in the first round as San Beda once again got the better of Arellano on Tuesday.

The signs are promising, and if Tankoua continues this tear, there’s no doubt that the Red Lions can also sustain this winning run.

5. Kent Salado – G, Arellano Chiefs
26 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Last Week: N/A

Kent Salado could just carry so much for the Arellano.

Despite the speedster’s best efforts, he still can’t stop the Chiefs from losing five of their last six games to finish the first round.

One thing going Arellano’s way, though, is the week-long break, giving Salado, coach Jerry Codiñera, and the rest of the team to reassess their standing as they seek to make a huge run in the second round.

6. Christian Buñag – C, Mapua Cardinals
15 points, 21 rebounds
Last Week: N/A

When one door closes, another one opens.

Luckily for Christian Buñag, the injuries abound the Mapua lineup led to him racking up consistent double-doubles through the course of the first round

Unfortunately, those stats aren’t translating to wins, and Buñag needs more help to validate the numbers he’s pouring for the Cardinals.

7. Jed Mendoza – G, JRU Heavy Bombers
12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Last Week: N/A

Another strong showing from Jed Mendoza results to another win for JRU.

The first-year playmaker has proven that he’s no one-game wonder, emerging as a solid contributor for Meneses’ rotation after the first round.

If Mendoza continues this stretch in the second round, things may continue looking up for the Heavy Bombers.