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.
The stage is set and on to the stepladder we go.
Half of the league have already went on early vacations, wrapping up their second round schedule as the contenders take center stage from here on out.
But that didn’t stop the heroes from grabbing the limelight for one last time in the eliminations as they sought to end their campaign on a winning note.
For one last time, here are this week’s best.
(1) Mike Nzeusseu – C, Lyceum Pirates
27 points, 21 rebounds, 2 blocks
Last Week: N/A
Mike Nzeusseu. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With Lyceum on the cusp of history, Mike Nzeusseu unfurled an amazing showing as he led his squad in a tough 107-105 double overtime win over San Beda on Thursday and thus, completing its 18-0 quest.
The Cameroonian big man was instrumental for the Pirates as they had every answer for everything the Red Lions threw at them to silence the defending champions for the second time this year.
And with that, Lyceum’s efforts has been rewarded as it progresses to the best-of-three Finals awaiting the survival of the stepladder semis.
(2) Rey Nambatac – G, Letran Knights
21.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steal
Last Week: N/A
Rey Nambatac. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Letran is still alive and kicking, and it’s largely thanks to Rey Nambatac.
The 23-year-old swingman refused to have his swansong this week as he led the Knights to two pressure packed wins to stay in the running.
Nambatac has repeatedly said that he’s not yet ready to leave the auspices of Letran, and so far, he’s backing his words up and silencing his doubters.
But what awaits will be a third do-or-die game for the Knights, as they take on San Sebastian on Tuesday.
(3) CJ Perez – F, Lyceum Pirates
20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals
Last Week: 1
CJ Perez. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The leading MVP candidate is still in the thick of things this week as he paired perfectly with Nzeusseu to help Lyceum sweep the eliminations this week.
Spurred by his hero coach Topex Robinson, CJ Perez has exemplified the battlecry the Pirates had through the course of the season: play to inspire.
And with Lyceum firmly in the championship series, there’s still a lot of inspiring Lyceum needs to do as it seeks to cap off this amazing season with a title to boot.
(4) Rence Alcoriza – F, Arellano Chiefs
12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 block
Last Week: N/A
Renz Alcoriza. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Rence Alcoriza played the game of his life when Arellano fought Letran on Friday.
The forward tried his earnest to keep the Chiefs’ season alive, going as far as pouring 13 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter.
However, Alcoriza’s efforts proved to be moot as Arellano bowed in the fourth-place playoff and saw its season cut short.
But if there’s any silver lining for coach Jerry Codiñera to take away and look forward to next year, it’s that he can bank on Alcoriza to make things happen.
(5) RK Ilagan – G, San Sebastian Golden Stags
23 points (5/9 3FG), 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Last Week: N/A
RK Ilagan. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Also fighting for its life, San Sebastian stayed in the playoff hunt and earned a bye in the fourth place playoff in the stepladder semifinals with an 80-60 rout of Perpetual on Thursday.
And one of the biggest reasons for that is RK Ilagan, who rekindled his shooting touch and drilled five treys in the huge win.
But coach Egay Macaraya needs to have him, as well as the other Golden Stags shooters to find their mark, especially with a streaking Letran side next on their schedule on Tuesday.
(6) Levi Dela Cruz – G, Arellano Chiefs
19.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals
Last Week: 5
Levi dela Cruz. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Another feel good story coming from Arellano late this season, Levi dela Cruz has come to his own on the heels of Salado’s devastating injury.
With Codiñera christening him as “Mini Jalalon,” the diminutive playmaker played like a veteran in the Chiefs’ do-dor-die tussles this past week.
Arellano’s season may have already ended, but next year could promise to be an exciting one with Salado and dela Cruz emerging as the next best backcourt tandem in the league.
(7) Donald Tankoua – C, San Beda Red Lions
34 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
Last Week: N/A
Donald Tankoua. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
We have to give the final slot to Donald Tankoua, who recorded a career-best outing in San Beda’s heartbreaking defeat to Lyceum in a duel that gave the fans a preview of how this year’s finals will be played.
Admittedly still on the recovery road, the Nigerian big man showed no signs of his past injury as he kept the Red Lions in the game until he fouled out late in the first overtime.