‘The Ninja’ strikes

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)

Player of the Week: Cabagnot biggest boost for Petron

THE PBA Philippine Cup may be stuffed with explosive newcomers, but trust some veterans to step up the most at the crunch.

Such was the case of Petron Blaze’s Alex Cabagnot, who did much more than just be a playmaker, lifting the Boosters to back-to-back wins and earning for himself the Accel-PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week citation for the season-opening period Oct. 2 to 9.

The southpaw point guard consistently shone the brightest for the Governors Cup champion which continued to be undermanned, making the crucial points that pointed Petron to victories over B-MEG and Barako Bull and into the early lead.

“Ipinapakita talaga ni Alex ang pagiging beterano niya at ang poise niya napakalaking tulong sa team” said Petron head coach Ato Agustin of the man tabbed at No. 2 overall by Sta. Lucia Realty during the 2005 Rookie Draft and who has strutted his wares with Coca-Cola and Burger King before making it to the team then known as San Miguel Beer in 2010.

Arwind Santos continued to be a big force for the Boosters with two-game averages of 15.0 points and 16.5 rebounds and rookie teammate Chris Lutz has shown immense potential with norms of 18.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and as many steals.

Even Rain or Shine’s sensational rookie Paul Lee, 20.0, 5.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in two games, and Talk N Text’s Japeth Aguilar, 27 points, eight rebounds, two steals in the Tropang Texters’ debut game, put up better numbers than Cabagnot’s norms of 14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 blocked shot.

Yet the bulk of Cabagnot’s points came when both games were on the line, clear proof he is willing to take charge when the need arises.

It was Cabagnot’s three straight baskets from beyond the arc that sparked Petron’s decisive 18-4 breakaway from a 75-70 count against Barako Bull, powering the Boosters to a cruising 95-83 win last Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Just two days before, it was Cabagnot who chiefly bailed Petron out of danger by scoring seven of his team’s last nine points in a 73-69 opening victory over B-MEG at the Cuneta Astrodome.(pr)