Solomon Mercado sort of came under the radar when he was tabbed at No. 5 by Alaska in the PBA Rookie Draft last Aug. 31.
Then the doubts around him grew when he was traded the very next day to Rain or Shine.
Now everybody’s taking notice of the six-foot guard following his impressive debut for Rain or Shine last Sunday in the KFC Philippine Cup and making him the hands-down choice as the Smart Accel- PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Opening Weekend.
The former standout for Biola University led the Elasto Painters to a 120-102 shocker over the Air21 Express, winding up with a game high 29 points for the best rookie debut since Asi Taulava’s 32 for Talk N Text in 1999.
He also had seven rebounds, four assists and just one turnover in 34 minutes of action to handily beat out Talk N Text’s Jared Dillinger, the No. 2 overall pick who had 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in the Tropang Texters’ 98-97 squeaker over Coca-Cola on opening day Saturday.
Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia said other teams have not fully scouted Mercardo. “They haven’t seen him really play,” he said with a sly grin.
Alaska coach Tim Cone had no such reservations on the 24-year-old, who first showed his wares for Harbour Centre in the PBL.
“We knew he could be a special player,” said Cone in explaining the trade that also involved Eddie Laure and the Elasto Painters’ Joe Devance and second round picks in 2010 and 2011.
“But the thing is, he didn’t fit our puzzle at that time. Not with our backcourt of Willie (Miller), LA (Tenorio) and Larry (Fonacier). And Joe is a piece in our puzzle.
“It’s a good trade. We knew he would get the time and the touches with them (Rain or Shine). It’s a win-win situation for everybody.”
As if to prove Cone’s words, Mercado displayed an assortment of moves and touches that had those watching his first PBA game at the Cuneta Astrodome readily comparing him to Barangay Ginebra’s prolific Mark Caguioa.
He made his first two shots, both left-handed drives through traffic, and went on to score 14 of his points in the second quarter, anchored on a 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
His heroics helped Rain or Shine overcome a 24-31 deficit, post a 61-53 halftime lead and turn the game into a rout as the Elasto Painters erected a 109-89 spread.