WHAT makes Petron Blaze extra dangerous is the ability of most of its players to step up when the occasion calls for it.
Joseph Yeo reiterated that fact by scattering 27 points in leading the Boosters to a much-needed win, thus earning for himself the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period Oct. 31 to Nov. 6.
The output, spiked by eight rebounds and four assists, helped Petron notch an 86-80 win over Alaska at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday.
Going into that game the Boosters have lost three straight and were without injured off-guard Chris Lutz, who has started in place of Dondon Hontiveros, in turn out for at least the conference because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The man known as “The Ninja” did not disappoint as he scored 13 points right in the first quarter and 11 in the payoff period, including the insurance lay-in basket that gave the Boosters an 84-80 lead, time down to just 34 seconds.
“Talagang napakalaking bagay ang ginawa ni Joseph dahil butas na butas kami sa 2-position,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin. “Ipinakita niya na hindi sayang iyung pagtitiwala namin sa kanya.”
It was the highest output by the former De La Salle standout since moving over to the team formerly known as San Miguel Beer during the 2009-10 season.
It was also sort of unexpected since Yeo, drafted third overall by Coca-Cola in the 2006 draft and who has strutted his wares with Sta. Lucia Realty, was averaging just 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing.
“Kaya naman tuwang-tuwa talaga kami dahil ang mga players naming tulad ni Joseph kapag kailangang kailangan nag-de-deliver,” noted Agustin.
The win improved Petron’s record to 4-3. More important, it seemed to have restored the bearing and confidence the team needs for that push going into the last half of its elimination round assignments.
Based on his latest performance, Yeo is sure to be an integral part of that drive.(pr)
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