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.
INCLEMENT weather washed out one playdate, but that didn’t mean that the action has waned one bit.
Two Final Four tickets are now booked, which means the race for the last two seats gets tighter and tighter by the day.
And as we close another weekend, let’s take a look at this week’s best performers.
Guard: JD Cagulangan (UP)
17 points (3/7 3PT), 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist vs Adamson
Adamson wanted some semblance of a repeat from its first round matchup, but Cagulangan had other thoughts and made sure UP won’t fall into the same traps and would need another comeback.
This time, he was the one responsible for the scoring chores, deviating from his usual role of making the plays for his teammates.
Cagulangan was in full control of the game for the Fighting Maroons, setting the table as State U returned to the semifinals for the sixth straight season.
Guard: Kyle Paranada (UST)
13 points (2/3 3PT), 2 assists, 1 rebound vs FEU
It’s about time Paranada had his breakout in his new home.
The sweet-shooting Fil-Am gunner finally found his groove from distance and gave a huge lift for UST to snap its three-game losing skid.
If Paranada can continue to be the spark plug off the bench for Growling Tigers, don’t be surprised to see the Espana side return to the Final Four for the first time in five years.
Forward: Kevin Quiambao (La Salle)
33 points (5/11 3PT), 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal vs Ateneo
I mean, are we still surprised?
Quiambao reset his career-best in scoring anew, dropping 33 huge points in this much anticipated rivalry game between La Salle and Ateneo.
His on-court brilliance is just a sight to behold that even coach Tab Baldwin is at lost for words watching in awe of KQ – who may be very well on his way to another MVP award.
Forward: Wello Lingolingo (UE)
14 points (3/7 3PT), 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist, 1 block vs NU
Two weeks is too long of a time to not be in action, but UE made sure that everyone still remembers it after that prolonged break.
Lingolingo is just one of the few heroes again for the Red Warriors, with his timely baskets crucial in helping the Red Warriors stave off NU.
As UE seeks to end this 15-year Final Four drought, thank Lingolingo for being among those who stayed and kept the faith.
Center: Mo Tounkara (UST)
11 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks vs FEU
Tounkara’s presence was indeed sorely missed by UST as he made immediate impact in his return from a one-game suspension and brought his team back to its winning ways.
And it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time, all the more with the Growling Tigers looking at every assignment as a must-win.
The Malian center may no longer be eligible for any end of season awards, but we’re glad to reward him for his efforts week by week.
6th Man: Veejay Pre (FEU)
31 points (11/17 FG; 5/7 3PT), 14 rebounds vs UST
Give credit to where credit is due.
With most of the Far Eastern University team grounded by food poisoning, Pre stepped up for his side, recording a career-best 31 points to keep his crew competitive.
Though the Tamaraws failed to get the victory, Pre’s efforts did not go unnoticed as he recorded the second-best scoring mark for a rookie since the 2000s, only behind Jeron Teng’s 35 in 2012.
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