Paolo S. Mariano, Wednesday, August 31, 2011.
It was an entertaining and nail-biting week of UAAP basketball as teams took their game to another level, with the Final Four just peeping behind the corner. The Power Rankings underwent yet another facelift as no player from the previous list made it this week. These five players shone the brightest with their balls-of-steel acts in the clutch and tough-as-nails performances. In addition, a salute to FEU’s Terrence Romeo, UE’s JM Noble, and Adamson’s Lionel Manyara for also churning out impressive games.
1. Karim Abdul (UST) – 12.5 PPG, 12.G RPG, 1.5 BPG (Ave. in wins over La Salle and UE)
Returnee
Abdul makes a massive comeback in the Power Rankings with his dominant showing in UST’s back-to-back wins. He anchored the Growling Tiger’s inside game as he stepped up big when the team struggled from the perimeter. The Cameroonian was truly a monster on the board last week, out-rebounding the entire starting frontline of La Salle and tying the combined efforts of UE’s. He’s UST’s x-factor and he’ll only improve as the season goes along. Oh, he’s only 19 years old.
2. Emman Monfort (Ateneo) – 13 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 6 APG (Ave. in wins over UE and La Salle)
Newcomer
Monfort has been under the radar all season long as he has focused more on playmaking for Ateneo. He doesn’t take as much shots as he did last year, but when he does, he takes the quality ones. The league’s reigning Most Improved Player delivered all-around performances last week, showing he’s an integral part to the Blue Eagles’ cause, especially when the game is on the line. Even though Ateneo already has the twice-to-beat edge, don’t expect Monfort to take it easy.
3. Aldrech Ramos (FEU) – 19 Pts, 2-of-2 3FGs, 7 Reb (Win over NU)
Newcomer
Ramos finally makes it to the list, thanks to his clutch act in FEU’s double overtime win over NU. The Smart-Gilas mainstay has been passive for most of the season, but he came through when it mattered the most. He drained two all-important three-point shots during the Tamaraws’ comeback and provided the much-needed composure. He finished with a season-high 19 points, towing FEU to its third straight W. What a time to regain confidence for the fifth-year center.
4. Jeric Teng (UST) – 10 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG (Ave. in wins over La Salle and UE)
Newcomer
Teng’s numbers last week don’t jump out of the page. But what those stats don’t tell you is his steady play during crunch time. The former Rookie of the Year bailed out UST against La Salle with back-to-back three-pointers in the final minutes of the game, and then buried the dagger versus UE, again from rainbow territory. You could question his shot selection at times, but you can’t question his competitiveness and willingness to take the big shot. That’s a tiger right there.
5. Janus Lozada (Adamson) – 16 Pts, 3-of-4 3FGs, 9 Reb (Win over UP)
Returnee
Lozada also returns in the Power Rankings with his solid job for Adamson against UP. The fifth-year swingman once again proved that he is one of the team’s most efficient players, ending up with a game-high 16 points, highlighted by his hot shooting from long range. He also doused cold water during the Fighting Maroons’ comeback with his timely shots. Adamson head coach Leo Austria said when the season began that he expects a lot from Lozada. Well, so far, so good.