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.
Just when you thought there’d finally be some clarity in the NCAA, the Final Four race just got more muddled.
Pacesetters Lyceum and San Beda have now clinched their respective seats in the semifinals, while cellar dweller Mapua has been the first team to get the boot in the tourney.
But the seven other teams still have a crack at the last two spots, with a bounce here and a run there potentially deciding who will make it to the next round.
Before that, let’s first take a loot at this week’s best seven players in the NCAA.
1. Bong Quinto – F, Letran Knights
21.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists
Last Week: N/A
Steady is the word for Bong Quinto.
The stocky scorer has kept the ship afloat for Letran as it got itself back on track, snapping its three-game losing skid and forcing a third place tie with JRU.
Coach Jeff Napa said that the Knights have finally addressed their issues after that funk, and with Quinto being one of the team’s leaders, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if they secure one of those elusive Final Four seats sooner than later.
2. CJ Perez – F, Lyceum Pirates
21 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals
Last Week: N/A
CJ Perez remains a force to be reckoned with for Lyceum, and his greatness is underscored with his supporting cast also delivering.
The energetic forward showed that there’s no such thing as a second round slump for him, getting his bearings back to do it all for the Pirates in their 94-83 win over Perpetual.
Lyceum may have clinched a twice-to-beat in the Final Four, but Perez knows there the tougher wars still ahead and their 13-0 record won’t mean nothing if the Pirates don’t get the job done in the playoffs.
3. Javee Mocon – F, San Beda Red Lions
19 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists
Last Week: 2
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Just like Perez for Lyceum, Javee Mocon’s performance was once again the catalyst in helping San Beda notch its 11th straight victory.
The hardworking forward’s performance should largely be credited in keeping the Red Lions in the thick of things, especially after their gritty 65-60 victory over JRU on Friday.
But Mocon shouldn’t be alone in hoisting the flag for the Mendiola crew, and coach Boyet Fernandez needs Robert Bolick to rekindle his thunder if San Beda dreams of retaining its NCAA title again later this season.
4. Renzo Navarro – G, San Sebastian Golden Stags
16 points (5/6 3PT), 3 assists
Last Week: N/A
Renzo Navarro. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The littlest man of the court once again made the biggest impact in the clutch for San Sebastian as Renzo Navarro took the spotlight for his side.
The diminutive guard waxed hot from downtown, going on a near-perfect clip as he unfurled 12 of his 16 points to aid the Golden Stags nab the huge 73-61 win over St. Benilde.
Though San Sebastian evened its standing at 6-6, it should find a way to be more consistent if it wants to break its three-year Final Four drought this season.
And the only solution for that to happen is for guys like Navarro to churn out solid numbers to compliment the stable showing of Michael Calisaan.
5. Rey Nambatac – G, Letran Knights
19.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Last Week: N/A
Once again, Rey Nambatac showed that he can be a threat for Letran with or without the ball.
The senior guard allowed his teammates to shine in the Knights’ 84-73 win over Arellano on Tuesday.
But with Letran seeking revenge against first round tormentor Mapua, Nambatac exploded for 17 first half points to steer his side to an 88-79 victory, enough for it to once again get itself in the conversation as one of the favorites to snare those last two spots.
6. Kent Salado – G, Arellano Chiefs
23.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals
Last Week: 6
For the third straight week, Kent Salado has found himself still at the sixth spot of this list.
That’s what you get after another even week despite another solid showing.
Salado’s numbers weren’t enough for Arellano to pull off a triumph against Letran on Tuesday, losing 73-84, but with Michael Cañete providing the much needed support, the Chiefs halted their two-game slide on Friday and remained alive in the playoff race.
At 5-8, Arellano is still just two games behind in the Final Four, but the Chiefs must step up in their next games if they want to make it to the postseason.
7. Sidney Onwubere – F, EAC Generals
19.0 points, 9.5 rebounds
Last Week: N/A
EAC remained in the running in the Final Four race, but could not extend its streak to three after suffering an 84-79 defeat to Arellano on Friday.
But that wasn’t because Sidney Onwubere didn’t fight for the Generals, as the senior forward gave everything for his side.
Still, EAC’s performance should be lauded given that it’s playing without its starting frontcourt, and coach Ariel Sison made it clear that the Generals will go for broke to reach its goal of making it to the Final Four.