MANILA, Philippines - Mark Romero was not named team captain for no reason.
So when St. Benilde went on winning four straight games to zoom to the top four in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament, it is not a surprise that Romero is the biggest reason behind it.
Averaging 17 points, 5.5 assists and three rebounds in a pair of victories over four-peat champion San Beda, 83-76, last Monday and Lyceum, 86-77, Saturday that propelled the Blazers to joint fourth with the Jose Rizal Bombers on 4-3 (win-loss) records.
It also propelled Romero to the NCAA Press Corps’ ACCEL Quantum/3XVI Player of the Week award supported by Mighty Mom anti-bacteria dishwashing liquid, Dr. J rubbing alcohol and Bactegel hand sanitizer.
“I see him as a leader on and off the court that’s why he’s the captain of this team,” said St. Benilde coach Gabby Velasco of the 23-year-old Romero, a graduating Hotel and Restaurant Management student playing his last season.
Romero, a native of Taytay, Rizal who played for Far Fastern U in the UAAP for a year before transferring to St. Benilde, shone the brightest in the shock win over San Beda, whom he torched with 20 points including five in the stretch that sealed the deal.
“In my years here at St. Benilde, we never won against San Beda. It’s a good feeling we finally won against them in my last season,” said Romero, who is the team’s top scorer, best rebounder and passer.
Romero snagged the award from teammates Juan Paolo Taha and Jonathan Grey and Jose Rizal University’s Jaycee Ascuncion and Michael Mabulac.