By Ivan Saldajeno
THE NCAA "Clasico" Round 1 and some triple-doubles from two SEA Games gold medalists spiced up Week 3 of the NCAA. How did these affect the Power Rankings? Check this out.
1. Letran Knights (3-0)
The "magulong basketball" of Letran Coach Aldin Ayo wrecked havoc over no less than the defending champion San Beda in the first game of the new chapter of their NCAA rivalry. The surprise rout put the Knights back on top of the power rankings despite the Perpetual Help Altas scoring a win this past week as well.
2. Perpetual Help Altas (4-0)
Despite Perpetual Help getting a 20-20 game from Bright Akhuetie, a triple-double from Scottie Thompson, and a win against San Sebastian, the team slid a spot in the power rankings. Seeing the reigning champs getting downed by a team that did not even make the playoffs last year is too tough to pass.
3. Arellano Chiefs (3-1)
The rise of the week belongs to Arellano. Despite trampling a relatively inferior EAC squad on Tuesday and needing five more minutes before beating Mapua on Friday, Arellano just showed that it has started to pick up where it left off last year in its finals run. From last week's sixth place, the Chiefs jumped three spots to third. This past week also introduced us more to Jio Jalalon as he made a triple-double against EAC and went for 26 points against Mapua.
4. San Beda Red Lions (3-1)
After scoring three straight wins to start the season, San Beda lost to Letran as the latter's defense proved too much for the defending champion's run-and-gun game. More bad news struck the Red Lions side as fifth-year star Baser Amer aggravated the shoulder injury he suffered in the PBA D-League last month. The worst case scenario? He could sit out the rest of the season, which may end his stellar college basketball career.
5. JRU Heavy Bombers (2-2)
JRU let a huge lead slip away on Tuesday night, but the team bounced back with a 20-point mauling of EAC three days later. Thanks to the fact that Mapua is losing steam, JRU enjoys another stay at the Top 5 the power rankings.
6. Mapua Cardinals (1-3)
It seems like some teams already know the formula of how to contain Allwell Oraeme, and it is a factor why Mapua is slowly declining in the power rankings. The Cards, however, found some unsung heroes aside from Oraeme and Josan Nimes to rely on as Exe Biteng forced the overtime in their game against the Chiefs. Mapua and CSB (more on the team later) are in the horror roll, that is, the fall of the week.
7. San Sebastian Golden Stags (1-2)
San Sebastian fought back from 11 points down to defeat JRU on Tuesday as the team got its first win in the Rodney Santos era, but Perpetual Help brought Baste back to reality on Friday with a 14-point blowout.
8. Lyceum Pirates (1-2)
Another team finding a new hero this past week was Lyceum, and he goes by the name Shaq. Despite is surname not being O'Neal and him being smaller than O'Neal, Shaq Alanes showed the big heart against CSB, never giving up after Jonathan Grey scored a triple in his face and countered it with his own trey that turned out to be the game-winner. Also, hot rookie recruit Noah Lugo finally showed his A-game that was expected of the former Malayan Red Robin in that game.
9. CSB Blazers (1-3)
That loss to Lyceum eventually dropped to CSB to ninth place in the power rankings. The loss of Paolo Taha and Mark Romero to graduation has begun to take toll on the Blazers.
10. EAC Generals (0-4)
EAC suffered blowout losses this past week, including a 47-67 crushing by JRU. Coach Andy De Guzman just can't find a good help for Sidney Onwubere in scoring.
(Note: The opinions of the writer do not reflect those of Dugout Philippines.)
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