Not
surprisingly, the UAAP power forward position is stocked with talent. Heck,
even minnows Adamson and UP have legit 4s who can mix it up and light it up at
the drop of a hat. Of course, there are the requisite stat-stuffers like Mac
Belo, Jason Perkins, and Troy Rosario, but, there are a couple of other names
we cannot discount, including the leading Rookie of the Year candidate.
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| It's a rich pool of talent in our Top 5 UAAP PFs! |
And,
well, where has Aljon Mariano’s game gone anyway? He’s been inconsistent like
crazy.
Without further ado, here they are – the top five UAAP
power forwards as of August 11, 2014:
*These rankings are based on average Player
Efficiency (EFF) calculations.
**EFF = {[(points + rebounds + assists + steals +
blocks) – (turnovers + field goals missed + free throws missed)] ÷ # of games}
5. Arvin
Tolentino (AdMU) – 12.1ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.0bpg, 1.9 triples per game, .302 3pt%,
11.7 EFF
- Nicknamed
“The Big Easy” because, well, he’s pretty much plays the way most people walk
along Manila Bay. It's not that he’s lazy. Rather, I choose to believe that the
game just comes so easy to him that it LOOKS LIKE he’s taking things too
easily. Still, look at that line. We know he’ll be ROY, right? I mean, c’mon.
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| Arvin Tolentino is the runaway leader for Rookie of the Year in Season 77. (image by Raddy Mabasa/Fabilioh.com) |
4. Troy
Rosario (NU) – 11.3ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.6apg, 13.0 EFF
- Rosario’s
streak of double-digit scoring games was broken when NU lost to FEU this past
weekend. Still, the 6’7 big man remains one of the league’s most versatile
players. Rosario can put the ball on the floor, spot up, or score off drop
passes. It’s hard to believe he played just over 12 minutes per outing last
year.
3. Jason
Perkins (DLSU) – 10.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.6apg, .882 FT%, 13.6 EFF
- Despite
being on the UAAP’s most loaded lineup, Perkins finds a way to score, rebound,
and basically do whatever the team needs. He tends to play to the level of La
Salle’s competition, but that should change soon since the Archers are aiming
at the top spot at the end of the elims.
2. JR
Gallarza (UP) – 11.9ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1bpg, 2.1 triples per game, .357
3pt%, 13.6 EFF
- Gallarza
has the slightest of edges over Perkins mainly because the former has been more
consistent, scoring in double-digits in 5 of UP’s last six contests. He has
also been a revelation from the perimeter, making more than 2 treys per outing.
Nobody predicted it, but this kid from Ontario has slowly emerged as the league’s
top stretch 4.
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| Fil-Can JR Gallarza is having a breakout season for UP. (image by Marlon Bernabe/Burn Sports) |
1. Mac
Belo (FEU) – 17.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.5apg, .612 FG%, 17.7 EFF
- Some
people think Belo might be the next coming of Arwind Santos. I think he has
what it takes to maybe be even better. He just plays with so much energy, and
his motor just doesn’t stop. And he doesn’t really even play a ton of minutes (just
25 a game). He’ll definitely challenge for the MVP plum by season’s end, but,
more importantly, he has blossomed into the kind of frontline presence the
Tamaraws sorely need.
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| Mac Belo is a leader in the Season 77 MVP race. Is he better than Arwind Santos already? (image by Marlon Bernabe/Burn Sports) |
Outside
looking in:
Carl
Cruz (FEU) – 9.2 EFF
Aljon
Mariano (UST) – 8.5 EFF
Chris
Javier (UE) – 8.5 EFF
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