Editor’s Note: Every week, SPIN.ph will pick the five best performers per position in the ongoing UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
THE SECOND round is now on and it’s time to separate the men from the boys.
But so far, revenge has been the theme this past weekend with three of the four games resulting in role reversals from their first meeting, further complicating what is already a wild UAAP season.
Let’s take a look at who's the best in week six.
Guard: Jorick Bautista (FEU)
21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals vs Adamson
Cardiac finishes seem to be the norm in Far Eastern University, with it winning its second game in extra time.
And the one to hold the torch? Bautista, of course.
The third-year guard took over for the Tamaraws in the overtime period, scoring nine of his 21 points to take the W back to Morayta.
It’s clear as day now: Jorick Bautista is the man in FEU.
Guard: Jared Bahay (Ateneo)
12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal vs NU
All hype? Forget about it.
It took time, but Bahay is slowly coming to his own in Ateneo as he has shown flashes of what many expected him to be as the Blue Eagles’ point guard of the future.
But one need not to wait as he’s already Ateneo’s point man for the present as seen in his steady playmaking against NU.
No question, the foundation is strong in Katipunan.
Forward: Francis Lopez (UP)
20 points (8/9 FG), 7 rebounds, 2 assists vs UST
For all of the stars that the University of the Philippines has in its arsenal, Lopez is still one of the brightest.
He reminded everyone just that against UST when he had that fast start to set the tone for State U.
As near-perfect as Lopez’ showing was, it’s hard to believe that he’s still rough around the edges which should mean trouble for the rest of the league.
Forward: Kristian Porter (Ateneo)
14 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks vs NU
Bahay’s not the only rookie making waves in Ateneo in this campaign.
Porter has also been a consistent force for the Blue Eagles, fearlessly battling the opposing bigs despite playing undersized.
But it really shouldn’t come as a surprise considering that the younger brother of former Ateneo forward Kris has been doing this since his high school days, which should signal great things ahead in Loyola Heights.
Center: Michael Phillips (La Salle)
27 points (9/16 FG), 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal vs UE
How many players in the league can say they have a double-double under their belt? Now, how many can say that they did that in the first half alone?
Well, Phillips just did against UE, shouldering the load for La Salle as it got one back against its first round tormentors.
What great luxury is it for the Green Archers that when Kevin Quiambao isn’t feeling himself, they have Phillips to lean to when the going gets tough.
6th Man: Mo Konateh (FEU)
13 points, 26 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 steals, 1 assist vs Adamson
As much as Bautista has been the catalyst for FEU’s success, Konateh is right there being the anchor.
The Gambian center continued his stellar play down low, this time grabbing a whopping 26 rebounds to hold his own down low for the Tamaraws.
Konateh, though, is more than his defense as he’s also shown flashes of brilliance on offense.
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