WITH one week to go in the elimination round of the 2017 PBA Governor's Cup, the eight quarterfinals spots have been clinched. The contenders are jockeying out for a top 4 finish while others try to improve on their standing and get a higher seed. The week also saw some trades that gave teams an immediate impact that could see their fortunes improve come playoff time.
Here are the performances of our Top 5 Players of the Week as their exceptional contributions led their teams with morale boosting victories and prepare themselves on what lies ahead in the quarterfinals:
June Mar Fajardo - San Miguel Beermen
41 pts 17 rebs 3 assts 1 stl 1 blk vs Kia (09-16-2017)
"The Kraken" is showing why he is the reigning 3-time Most Valuable Player of the league. With his injury behind him, he dominated Kia Picanto's interior defense with a conference high of 41 points in an effective 14/19 shooting from the field. The Beermen have won 3 in a row and with Fajardo leading the way, this is a scary sight for the other teams come playoff time as San Miguel sets its sight for a grand slam finish in the season's end.
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Mike Tolomia - Meralco Bolts
24 pts 4 rebs 2 asst 6/6 3P vs Alaska (09-15-2017)
Making the most of his new found opportunity is Mike Tolomia. Playing in his fourth game in a Meralco uniform, the former Far Easter University standout was lights out against the red hot Alaska Aces. Shooting at a perfect 6 out 6 from downtown and registering a career high of 24 points helping Meralco earn win #7.
Allein Maliksi - Blackwater Elite
22 pts 5 rebs 1 asst 1 stl 2/5 3P vs Globalport (09-17-2017)
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Coming from the Star Hotshots with Chris Javier in a trade for Riego Gamalinda and Kyle Pascual worked out pretty well for Allein Maliksi. The former UST Growling Tiger was on point, leading Blackwater with 22 points in his Elite debut and securing a playoff spot for the young Dioceldo Sy owned franchise. In Maliksi, the Elite will have a dependable scorer and leader which will be helpful as they look to upset a strong contender in the playoffs.
Jeth Troy Rosario - TNT Katropa
17 pts 12 rebs 1 stl 2 blks vs NLEX (09-13-2017)
12 pts 4 rebs 1 asst 2 stls vs Star (09-17-2017)
With the departure of long time forward Ranidel De Ocampo to the Meralco Bolts' camp, this opened up an opportunity to rise to the occasion for Troy Rosario and he did not disappoint. The former National University Bulldog provided his inside and outside presence leading TNT Katropa to two straight wins against NLEX and Star. The second year forward credits his vast improvement from the tutelage of De Ocampo and knows he has a long way to go in his young and blossoming career.
LA Tenorio
16 points 3 rebs 4 assts 4 stls vs Rain or Shine (09-16-2017)
The defending Governor's Cup champions may have the biggest line-up in the league today but it's "The Gineral" LA Tenorio that holds them together and leads the group. It was evident during Ginebra's win versus the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters as he sealed the game with his crucial free throws down the stretch. Standing at 5 ft. 8, Tenorio might not be as tall as Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar, but his leadership and poise are what makes him the undisputed leader of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
