Power Rankings: Sept. 11-14

By Paolo Mariano Posted Sep 17th 2013

As expected, majority of last week’s inclusions are back. With the Final Four just around the corner, there was no letting up for the league’s go-to-guys. As Larry Bird famously said, this is the time to separate the men from the boys. With a playoff game between La Salle and FEU and a do-or-die match between UST and Ateneo still in the offing, more laudable individual performances will be witnessed. This week’s honorable nods go to Norbert Torres and Dennice Villamor.

1. Ray Parks – NU

Win vs. Ateneo: 24 Pts, 3 3FGs, 7 Rebs

Last week: No. 5

For the first time this season, the two-time reigning MVP claimed the top spot on the list. He led the Bulldogs over Ateneo to close out the elimination round with a 10-4 record—their best finish, safe to say, at least in the past two decades. He stymied the Blue Eagles’ attempts to steal the game with his timely hits and played incredible defense. Although he uncharacteristically only had one assist, it came at the perfect time, dishing off to Dennice Villamor for the game-winning trey.

2. Jeron Teng – La Salle

Win vs. UST: 19 Pts, 6-of-7 FTs, 11 Rebs

Last week: No. 1

The hard-nosed sophomore delivered a solid performance for the third straight outing with a double-double against UST. Not only did he help the Green Archers sweep the second round, he also kept their hopes alive of getting the twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four. He outmuscled the thin frontline of the Growling Tigers as he aggressively operated in the paint. Like in their escape of NU, he also drained clutch free throws, hitting a pair in the final 23 seconds to seal the victory.

3. Terrence Romeo – FEU

Win vs. UP: 33 Pts, 9 Rebs, 5 Asts

Last week: No. 3

Romeo just engraved his name on the MVP trophy with his masterful, almost unfair, showing against a hapless UP quintet. For the second straight game, he recorded a new career-high with 33 markers, his third 30-point game of the season. He toyed with every single defender thrown at him and added some acrobatic drives for good measure. Oh, he also led FEU in rebounds and assists in that game. His confidence is at an all-time high and he’ll carry it in their playoff against La Salle.  

4. Emmanuel Mbe – NU

Win vs. Ateneo: 17 Pts, 12 Rebs, 2 Asts

Returnee

After a miserable game against La Salle, the veteran big man bounced back big-time against Ateneo, chalking up a double-double, his 10^th of the season. But more importantly, he was steady from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter, nailing seven of eight to fend off the Blue Eagles’ rallies. In fact, all of his points in the payoff period came from the line. He was just too strong for JP Erram and Frank Golla. Since entering the league in 2010, Mbe has done nothing but help NU’s cause. 

5. Charles Mammie – UE

Win vs. Adamson: 24 Pts, 56.3% FGs, 24 Rebs

Returnee

Although it was a non-bearing game, Mammie’s gargantuan efforts couldn’t be disregarded. He almost single-handedly carried UE with the absence of main man Roi Sumang. He finished with his ninth double-double and fifth 20-rebound game of the season. He’s the most imposing carom-grabber since former MVP Jervy Cruz. The Sierra Leone import also outplayed Ingrid Sewa, who bled for three points. He already has the fundamentals—all he needs to work on is his attitude.