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.
WELL, we’re now at the halfway point of the UAAP Season 87.
Wasn’t it just a few weeks ago that all eight teams had grand aspirations coming to this year.
But after 28 games, we’re now seeing who has a legitimate case of making it through while others fall by the wayside.
READ: La Salle takes top spot from UP at end of UAAP Season 87 first round
And after five weeks of competition, let’s take a look at this week’s best.
Guard: Forthsky Padrigao (UST)
14 points (2/7 3PT), 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals vs UP; 14 points (2/7 3PT), 11 assists, 4 rebounds vs FEU
It was only a matter of time for Padrigao to really assert his case as the best point guard in the league.
His stern playmaking was at its best again, recording a season-high 11 assists in University of Santo Tomas’ game against FEU to make sure that the Espana side finished the first round with a winning record.
But what should be music to the Growling Tigers’ fans ears is how Padrigao has gotten his groove on offense, reminiscent of his days in Katipunan where he can take over games when he wants to.
Guard: Joshua David (La Salle)
14 points (4/6 3PT), 7 rebounds, 2 assists vs UP
Much has been said of La Salle’s supposed weakness at the guard position.
Yet in the much anticipated Finals rematch against University of the Philippines, David silenced all of those talks with a superb shooting night while orchestrating the plays at the point.
There’s no question on the talent of David. But his transition from a shooting guard to a point guard only adds another dimension to his budding game and makes the already formidable defending champions a whole lot more dangerous.
Forward: Wello Lingolingo (UE)
13 points (3/4 3PT), 3 steals, 2 rebounds, 1 assist vs Ateneo; 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals vs Adamson + game winner
Truth be told, Lingolingo was ready to strike any given Sunday.
Unfortunately for Adamson, it drew the short end of the stick as it found itself on the wrong end of a game-winner from the third-year forward.
But Lingolingo’s citation here is more than just his heroic deed as his consistent play has been one of the plenty reasons why University of the East finds itself at the top half of the standings at the end of the first round.
Rightfully so, the Lanao del Norte native earned the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week honors, cementing his team’s turn from undesirable to undeniable.
Forward: Kenshin Padrones (NU)
18 points (7/12 FG), 6 rebounds vs Ateneo
National University’s success hinges on more than just one player, and that has been largely absent in the midst of its four-game losing skid.
But on Saturday, the Bulldogs showed glimpses of what makes them a threat to the field, and Padrones was a big reason in keeping the Jhocson crew in the thick of the fight before they eventually stopped the skid.
It’s a much needed shot of confidence for the Marinduque native, especially as NU navigates the remainder of the season without a foreign student-athlete. And if he continues to play this well, don’t be surprised to see the boys of coach Jeff Napa mount that second round fightback.
Center: Precious Momowei (UE)
18 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block vs Ateneo; 14 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist, 1 block vs Adamson
He just had to be here, right?
After largely being snubbed in the past weeks, Momowei deservingly earns his place in this week’s best five with his herculean effort, tirelessly laying it all on the floor to keep the red-hot UE win streak going.
The Nigerian banger was already seen as the best foreign student-athlete heading into this season, but what makes his performance impressive is how he’s been able to serve as the fulcrum to the Red Warriors’ attack that enabled them to stretch this run to five straight wins all while playing for almost the entirety of the game.
What a way to live up to your given name, Precious Endurance!
6th Man: Mo Tounkara (UST)
21 points (9/10 FG), 5 rebounds, 1 assist vs UP; 21 points, 17 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal vs FEU
As good as Padrigao is for UST, Tounkara’s presence in the middle is just as important.
The Malian center has showed no letups in his first year for the Growling Tigers, providing that much needed muscle in the middle that was lacking last season.
Tounkara has certainly turned heads in the first seven games, and he has no plans of stopping as he’s driven to bring UST back to the Promised Land.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
