The big men and the small ballers have been pretty
much lording it over the current PBA conference, what with June Mar Fajardo,
Japeth Aguilar, Jayson Castro, and Sol Mercado continuously making headlines.
Still, one cannot discount how important shooting guards are to the scheme of
things in our local version of the Association.
To illustrate, just recently, Gary David erupted for
a total of 58 points in Meralco’s last two games, both of which ended up to be
wins. Also, some of the league’s most marketable cagers play this position. Do
James Yap and Mark Caguioa ring any bells?
In this post we will look at the top five shooting
guards in the 2013-2014 PBA Philippine Cup, based principally on their player
efficiency ratings, or EFF, as calculated by PBA-Online.net.
Note: Stats
as of the morning of January 11, 2014.
5. Jeff
Chan (ROS) – 14.1ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.7apg, 2.7 triples per game, 46.6 3pt%, 47.1
FG%, 29.1 EFF
- The Gilas sniper has carried over his deadly form
from the FIBA Aia tourney all the way here to the 2013-2014 season. Needless to
say, he has been on-target in the Philippine Cup, hitting nearly half of his
three-point attempts (third in the league at 46.6%) and leading almost everyone
in three-pointers made (tied for first with Paul Lee). Now if he could only
produce as well on the defensive end…
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| Jeff Chan remains as one of the deadliest snipers in the PBA. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
4. John
Wilson (MER) – 13.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, 1.6 triples per game, 40.5 3pt%,
29.6 EFF
- The former King Heavy Bomber may not share the
pedigree or luster of many of the PBA’s other SGs, but he has certainly been
one of the most consistently productive ones early in the season. Wilson has
scored 10 or more points in every one of Meralco’s last ten games, averaging
better than 40% from beyond the arc. And will you look at his rebounding? This
guard has had seven games where he’s hauled down 5 or more rebounds. Don’t
sleep on John Wilson, folks.
3. Marcio
Lassiter (PET) – 14.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.5apg, 1.0spg, 1.7 triples per game, 29.8
EFF
- Lassiter has been on an up-and-down trend lately,
but, by and large, he has still been one of the best SGs in the league. He just
creates so many match-up problems on both ends of the floor, and his ability
create and finish just makes his such a dangerous mark. He struggled a bit with
the absence of June Mar, but he should settle into a groove now that the
Kracken has returned.
2. Gary
David (MER) – 17.7ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.7apg, 2.1 triples per game, 37.3 3pt%, 31.9
EFF
- What can I say? El Granada, despite being 35
already, continues to wax hot in the PBA. He’s the top-scoring SG in the
league, top four in total three-pointers made, and top three in total field
goals made. Just a born scorer, this one, and that’s exactly what he’s been
doing so far. David is still far from his superb 2011-2012 season numbers, but that
doesn’t mean anybody would be comfortable leaving this guy open.
1. Joseph
Yeo (A21) – 14.8ppg, 5.3rpg, 6.3apg, 1.8 triples per game, 84.8 FT%, 33.7 EFF
- Surprised? I mean, it’s neither James Yap or Mark
Caguioa. It’s Joseph Yeo! Yes, the Ninja. Yes, the guy who barely saw action
for Petron last season. Yes, THAT guy is the best SG in the PBA right now. This
has been, so far and by far, his best pro season yet. His numbers are at
all-time highs, and it seems his moving to Air 21 was the jolt his career
needed. Now he’s not just a super scorer, he has also proven to be an awesome
playmaker. His 6.3 assists per outing is third-best in the league right behind
LA Tenorio and Mike Cortez.
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| Joseph Yeo has finally been given his time to shine. (image by Paul Ryan Tan/Sports 5) |
Outside
looking in:
James Yap (SMC) – 28.7 EFF
Larry Fonacier (TNT) – 28.6 EFF
Cyrus Baguio (ALA) – 26.6 EFF
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