Baguio cited PBA best for Kings' surge

MANILA, Philippines - Cyrus Baguio showed he has fully absorbed coach Jong Uichico’s system with Barangay Ginebra, shining in the Kings’ two wins to take over second place and earn for himself the KFC/Accel-PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week for the period Nov. 2 to 8.

Ginebra was sorely missing the services of injured aces Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa while Eric Menk was still trying to fully ease his way back after being sidelined by a fractured toe.

No problem as Baguio led the gritty bunch of remaining Kings in posting back-to-back wins over Barako Bull and Rain or Shine that gave them a 4-1 win-loss slate, just behind unbeaten leader Alaska.

In those victories, the 6-foot-2 Iligan City native came off the bench to average 19.5 points, 3.0 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in an impressive show of all-around talent that made him edge out the likes of two-time MVP Willie Miller of Alaska and national teammate Arwind Santos of San Miguel Beer for the honor.

More important for Uichico is the fact Baguio has now totally embraced his system.