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Power Rankings #2: Vic Manuel is for real
By Jonas Terrado (03/04/2010)

The second week of the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup features Cossack Blue continuing its surprising start and the fiery performance of Fern-C's John Wilson. But it was Pharex B-Complex's Vic Manuel who took the spotlight in this week's Power Rankings.

10. Arvie Braganza (Pharex B-Complex)
Last Week: N/A
Stats: 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists in two games last week
Conference Avgs: 6.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists

"Braggy", as fondly called, redeemed himself from a costly turnover that handed the Fighting Maroons a devastating loss to Cobra last week by putting up solid contributions in their twin victories over FERN-C and sister team Ascof Lagundi.

He has been responsible in giving up some good assists to the likes of Vic Manuel, Marlon Adolfo and Woody Co while silently making points. In both games, it was surprising to learn that he scored in double figures.

If Braganza can keep up with his performance and take good care of the ball then expect more minutes from him and possibly more bench time for backup Chico Tirona.

9. Marlon Adolfo (Pharex B-Complex)
Last Week: N/A
Stats: 12.0 points and 5.0 rebounds last week
Conference Avgs: 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds

Another silent contributor for Pharex B so far in this tournament.

The former FEU Tamaraw made 12 points in the first half and was one of the players responsible in giving the Maroons a resounding win over FERN-C last Thursday.

This could be the only time Adolfo will make the list since the second franchise of Pascual Laboratories has a variety of forwards who will eat up more time such as Manuel, Woody Co and even unknown Earnest Reyes.

8. Patrick Cabahug (Cobra Energy Drink)
Last Week: 4th
Stats: 24 points, 10-of-25 FG shooting and eight rebounds against Cossack Blue last week
Conference Avgs: 14.0 points, 23-of-55 FG shooting and 5.0 rebounds

Cabahug gets the nod because of his statistical output but unfortunately, he didn't carried the highly-touted Ironmen to the win against their underdog sister team Cossack Blue.

Despite firing a conference-high 24 points, proving his worth as a big-time scorer, the former Adamson Falcon struggled shooting-wise, most of those were forced shots, included one tough fall away from the corner that could have gave them the win in regulation.

Cabahug, if consistent, is a great complement for Paul Lee. But his decision-making especially when he has the ball could be vital if Cobra wants to prove everyone that it is not just a strong team on paper.

7. Bam Gamalinda (Ascof Lagundi)
Last Week: N/A
Stats: 13.7 points, 21-of-39 FG shooting, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists last week
Conference Avgs: 13.7 points, 21-of-39 FG shooting, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists

Gamalinda, who missed the conference debut against Excelroof, was a key offensive contributor for the Cough Busters that saw him average 19.5 points in his first two games (including 5-of-10 from rainbow country).

His most notable game came against Cossack Blue when he almost single-handedly complete the team's comeback in the fourth quarter, until they blew it in the homestretch thanks to Jorel Canizares' game-winning trey.

The former San Beda team captain is a great addition but he and big man JR Gerilla, who also deserves a spot in this week's rankings, needs more help from the likes of Von Lanete, Mark Canlas and Edwin Asoro.

6. Paul Lee (Cobra Energy Drink)
Last Week: 1st
Stats: 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists against Cobra Energy Drink last week
Conference Avgs: 23.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists

This time, Paul Lee failed to save Cobra from the jaws of defeat.

There were moments that the 6-foot-1 guard was on the verge of leading the Ironmen to the win but still wasn't enough to suffer a stunning loss to the more determined Cossack Blue five.

While Lee, who missed an outside trey in the dying seconds off a dangerous pass by Cabahug, maintained his usual statline, it's interesting to note that he turned the ball over eight times, a conference-high, but for sure he'll make up for it.

5. JR Taganas (Cossack Blue)
Last Week: 5th
Stats: 7.5 points and 14.0 rebounds last week
Conference Avgs: 8.7 points and 15.0 rebounds

"Baby Shaq" continues to put up "Diesel"-like numbers for the surprising Spirits. In fact, he is currently leading the league in rebounds with an average of 15.0 per game.

In Cossack's comeback win over Ascof Lagundi, it was the guards who produced the points but Taganas who fought for the rebounds against the likes of JR Gerilla and Raymond Aguilar.

And against their sister team Cobra Energy Drink, Taganas held his own against rugged big man Pari Llagas and kept his rebound numbers afloat. In that game, he also regained his scoring contributions thanks from assists given by the Cossack guards like Earn Saguindel and Raffy Reyes.

4. Jorel Canizares (Cossack Blue)
Last Week: N/A
Stats: 18.5 points, 13-of-34 FG shooting and 10.0 rebounds last week
Conference Avgs: 15.7 points, 16-of-45 shooting and 7.0 rebounds

Another Cossack cager who was vital in the team's hot start. Canizares notched a double-double last week while making big contributions in crucial situations.

The former University of the East Red Warrior made 22 points in the Spirits' 88-87 thriller over Ascof Lagundi that saw him hit the biggest shot of the night - a running three-pointer off Von Lanete in the final seconds.

He followed it up with 15 points and 14 rebounds in upsetting their vaunted sister squad Cobra Energy Drink, 91-90. Canizares shrugged off a terrible shooting clip with key shots in regulation and overtime periods.

3. John Wilson (FERN-C)
Last Week: 7th
Stats: 31.0 points, 20-of-41 FG shooting, 20-of-23 FT shooting, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.0 steals last week
Conference Avgs: 29.3 points, 28-of-67 FG shooting, 28-of-35 FT shooting, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.3 steals

So what if FERN-C failed to win a single game last week, Wilson was incredible.

The NCAA Most Valuable Player continued to live up to that billing as he tried to lead the Ferntastics to their first win of the conference with consecutive games of at least 30 points. Aside from that, his stellar numbers in other statistical categories make Fantasy Basketball enthusiasts crave for similar numbers from any NBA player.

He normally gets into the free-throw line perhaps because of driving a lot of times or getting fouled on tough outside shots. But although the numbers are great, he must get his teammates involved and make good shot selections to make this squad competitive.

2. James Martinez (Cossack Blue)
Last Week: N/A
Stats: 21.0 points on 14-of-28 FG shooting last week
Conference Avgs: 21.0 points on 14-of-28 FG shooting

One thing Cossack coach Rene Baena said after Martinez' debut: "I think he's back."

Although still showing a bit of rust and fatigue after being out for more than six months because of an ACL injury, the 5-foot-10 guard unexpectedly made 18 points in beating Ascof Lagundi last Tuesday. But it would be against sister team Cobra that he would rise up to the occasion.

In perhaps a sign of him regaining full form, Martinez fired a conference-best 24 points in 34 minutes of action while making 5-of-10 triples, including one that put the Spirits up for good in the extra session. He also made one defensive stop in regulation play when he deflected a Paul Lee pass that eventually helped them forced an overtime.

1. Vic Manuel (Pharex B-Complex)
Last Week: 2nd
Stats: 20.5 points and 6.0 rebounds last week
Conference Avgs: 18.3 points, 28-of-43 FG shooting and 8.8 rebounds

The stock of this 22-year old former cager for the Philippine School Business Administration continues to rise each game following impressive performances for Pharex B last week.

Manuel, who became the unlikely star of this Fighting Maroons squad, delivered big against sister team Ascof Lagundi last Saturday making 27 points, 10 of which came in the payoff period, along with five rebounds in a masterful 103-89 rout of the Cough Busters. He highlighted the day by making his second dunk in a span of four days on a breakaway slam in the first half.

So far, everyone is impressed with Manuel. From coach Aboy Castro to one member of the team, a non-cager who even imagined how would he be a big help for University of the Philippines in the UAAP while coach Ryan Gregorio of PBA champion Purefoods even compared him to his scrappy big man in Marc Pingris.

Honorable Mention: JR Gerilla (Ascof Lagundi), Earn Saguindel (Cossack Blue), June Dizon (FERN-C).

For comments and suggestions, you may visit my Twitter account at http://www.twitter.com/jonastsinelas. We will rate the 10 best PBL players each week.

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