CADE Flores currently holds the early lead in the statistical race for the Rookie of the Year award for the PBA's 48th season.
The NorthPort bruiser earned 29.0 statistical points (SPs) after averaging 11.2 points per game aside from 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals - both numbers topping all rookies, after the Batang Pier's first six games this conference.
The former NCAA Rookie of the Year out of Arellano is faring much better than some players drafted ahead of him, including top pick overall Stephen Holt (25.2) of Terrafirma and No. 6 Kenneth Tuffin (24.8) of Phoenix.
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“It’s a good sign,” said the 11th overall pick in the Season 48 draft. “But to me, it doesn’t really matter. It’s still so early. It’s not even halfway through the conference.”
The 25-year-old Flores though said he definitely wants to continue his good showing with the Batang Pier, who are currently on pace for a quarterfinal berth in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Towards the end, I want to be consistent and in the end, if my consistency stays, so I guess I’m going to win it,” said Flores.
In order to maintain his consistency, the 6-foot-5 Flores said he still has to learn a lot especially with the physicality in the league.
“I was pretty rough as well but the difference is there are bigger bodies here. Twelve other guys, some of them are pretty strong, they manage to push me out of position. That’s what I’m working on. I’m still learning,” said Flores.
“I’m just hardworking. My friends and family, they were already telling me that I’m going to do good in the PBA. I was the one who was quite nervous in the first two games but still managed to do what I can do to the team.
"I’m just going to keep pushing myself for the rest of the season,” said Flores.
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