Mendoza, Miller share week’s top honors

Paolo Mendoza wasn’t exactly the guy you’d count on to lead Sta. Lucia out of a two-game slump. After all, he’d just come out of a groin injury.

But whoa, did he surprise a lot of quarters.

On the other hand, Willie Miller pulled off a surprise that shocked Shell, lighting up Red Bull in the fourth quarter in a big come-from-behind victory that preserved the team’s flawless road record.

The two were tied in polling for the Player of the Week honors in the stretch of the Samsung Philippines Basketball Association Reinforced Conference lasting from Oct. 7 to 13.

In his first game out of injury, Mendoza waxed hot, torturing Ginebra from both ends of the floor.

He made four triples that night and set up his teammates by issuing five assists as the Realtors survived Nate James’ hurting toe on the way to a 92-85 victory where the ex-State U star played 41 heavy minutes.

He really stepped up for us with his shooting," said coach Alfrancis Chua.

Mendoza finished with 22 points that night and was a thorn to the Ginebra backcourt defensively, pulling off four steals.

Two nights ago, Mendoza coughed up 14 points but still was the focal offensive player with his eight assists as he effectively quarterbacked the Realtors to a 93-84 victory over Purefoods to clinch a quarterfinal slot.

Miller was a sight to behold in Palawan, even as Shell was dominating Red Bull for three periods. The quicksilver guard was winking at fans, blocking shots and scoring on highlight plays that game, smiling all the while.

"Gusto ko lang i-enjoy yung laro and at the same time, bigyan ng kasiyahan ang mga fans na nagpunta dito sa gym para manood," said the former Letran hotshot.

But with all his flashiness, it was also Miller who provided the substance for Red Bull, scoring 13 of his 15 points in the fourth period to rally the Barakos to a tight 80-78 win over the Turbo Chargers.

It was Davonn Harp who scored the winning basket with less than four seconds remaining, but it was Miller who made it possible as he rallied Red Bull from 14 points down on the way to the team’s sixth straight victory.

He also had 11 points and four assists in a 95-86 win over Purefoods that enabled him and Mendoza to nose out San Miguel gunner Dondon Hontiveros for the weekly citation.

It was a big breakout week for Mendoza and Miller, who were whizzing by almost unnoticed in the current conference.

Now that they’ve hit their stride, opponents will have to be wary of these two guards who, although are of different mold, are certified winners.