PBA Rookie Rankings: Heruela makes presence known

Manny Pacquiao was on target when he embarrassed the hell out of Chris Algieri. While the fighting pride of the Philippines failed to knock out his opponent, his masterful dissection of the American is enough to give our fans something to cheer about. Algieri never got his game going and looked tentative at times especially whenever he shifts his shoulders and the way he’s unsure of whatever stunt Pacman is trying to pull. Pacman has indeed transformed to the current structure of Floyd Mayweather’s game plan – and that’s to win with ring presence rather than the traditional knockout yearnings.

He’s more exciting though.

Manny Pacquiao is definitely a legend in the sport of boxing.

But then reality kicks in.

Not only has Pacquiao returned to thank his Filipino fans for supporting him in his recently concluded battle; the Pacman has also returned to his duties as the playing head coach of Kia Sorento – despite the uproar of the same people that supported his basketball career.

A total of 37 rookies have suited up for their respective teams.

This week, the list again went on a facelift.

Who’s in and who’s out?

Game starts now!

10.  JP Erram (Blackwater Elite)

Last Week: 5

Stats: 5.9ppg • 5.3rpg • 1.0apg • 1.2bpg

Despite playing exceptionally well for the Elite, his team is setting itself for the worst tourney ever that rivals the season the Pepsi Hotshots first entered the PBA. I guess this is why you have JP Erram playing less than five minutes to get four points and three boards in one night, then have him score four points, six rebounds and two dimes in 23 minutes the next, and to end things with just two points and two rebounds in just 12 minutes.

9. Kevin Alas (Talk n Text Tropang Texters)

Last Week: 7

Stats: 7.0ppg • 2.0rpg • 1.6apg

We expect a lot from Kevin Alas and frankly, most fans here would give me beef for this rank but unless Talk N Text gives this Letran Knight noteworthy playing time, it’s hard for him to even compete against Jericho Cruz. In his last two games, he is averaging just nine minutes – which is pretty much one third of what Karl Dehesa makes this season. What’s impressive about him though is despite the playing time starvation, he still had seven points against Barako Bull (although he was scoreless against GlobalPort).

8. Ronald Pascual (San Miguel Beermen)

Last Week: New Entry

Stats: 3.9ppg • 2.6rpg • 0.7apg • 0.6bpg

Not the numbers you want to see from a third overall pick but at least there’s a chance that the former San Sebastian product can prosper, if given the minutes. In the Beermen’s blowout win over Kia, Ronald Pascual went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc to total with nine points, three rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Against GlobalPort, he was still given the heavy playing time load and came up with eight points and three rebounds. More importantly, the Beermen has yet to lose whenever Pascual plays.

7. Jopher Custodio (Kia Sorento)

Last Week: New Entry

Stats: 9.5ppg • 4.0rpg • 1.0spg

GlobalPort’s third round pick in the 2013 PBA Draft, the MLQU Stallion became only the fifth player from their university to play in the PBA. While getting the breaks in a somewhat unusual manner (Kia unemployed most of their scoring leaders), Custodio was able to play 29 minutes to claim nine points, two rebounds and a steal. He would then follow this up by nailing 10 points and six rebounds versus Purefoods.  

6.  Jericho Cruz (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)

Last Week: 5

Stats: 8.0ppg • 2.9rpg • 1.1apg • 1.0spg

Rain or Shine had a rest week that was enough for Jericho Cruz as well as for his team to get psyched for the week ahead – as evident on their squeaker against the NLEX Road Warriors. Cruz will still have a grasp of things since we have yet to see Chris Tiu in action, but he should be weary of the increasing confidence of Paul Lee. In the NLEX game, ROS missed the services of Jeff Chan and Cruz ably filled in with nine points and three rebounds.

5. Jake Pascual (Barako Bull Energy Cola)

Last Week: 4

Stats: 8.4ppg • 6.8rpg • 1.1apg

Barako Bull did something seven other teams failed to accomplish – defeat the erstwhile undefeated Alaska Aces. The former San Beda Red Lion almost had a double-double of 12 points and nine rebounds in almost 24 minutes in what was the team’s second consecutive win. Barako Bull tried the same play against Talk N Text to no avail though – with Pascual scoring just seven but grabbing 11 caroms. Pascual would then churn out 13 points and four rebounds in his team’s win over Blackwater.

4.  Chris Banchero (Alaska Aces)

Last Week: 3

Stats: 6.5ppg • 3.1rpg • 2.0apg • 0.9spg

Chris Banchero is still holding a top five spot, but his stock is being carried by Alaska’s immaculate win-loss record. His averages are slowly dropping and I wouldn’t be surprised if he falls off the grid. In Alaska’s first defeat, he was able to chip in four points, five rebounds and two assists. In Alaska’s bounceback, Banchero had only four points, three rebounds and two assists. If Banchero wants to rival Pringle for the top rookie spot, he needs to find a way to slash Jayvee Casio’s minutes.

3. Brian Heruela (Blackwater Elite)

Last Week: New Entry

Stats: 10.0ppg • 4.3rpg • 4.7apg • 1.0spg • 1.0bpg

With the way he’s playing, why the hell is Brian Heruela situated in the third round of the 2014 PBA Draft? In his debut game against Purefoods, he had five points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks. In their battle against D-League nemesis NLEX, June Mar Fajardo’s old college buddy then had six points, three rebounds and three assists. In hindsight, what the hell is Blackwater thinking by waiting six games before activating his services – especially with Hereula’s 19 points, three boards and six dimes game against Barako Bull? 

2. Matt Ganuelas-Rosser (Talk n Text Tropang Texters)

Last Week: 2

Stats: 8.6ppg • 6.3rpg • 2.4apg • 1.1bpg

Matt Ganuelas-Rosser continues to secure the second spot. He is pretty much heralded as the future versions of Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jay Washington and unlike Alas, has no problem in terms of minutes. In the GlobalPort loss, he was good for six points and five rebounds while in the win over Barako Bull, Rosser was good for nine points, four rebounds, and two swats. Rosser is not in the league of Pringle in terms of stats but expect him to fight for the award especially if Talk N Text finds success this season. 

1. Stanley Pringle (Globalport Batang Pier)

Last Week: 1

Stats: 14.8ppg • 6.8rpg • 4.8apg • 1.9spg

The entry of Stanley Pringle in the Globalport forefront made things easier for Alex Cabagnot and Terrence Romeo. These two were able to do their thing with decreased opposition because the top pick is such a threat to not mind. Pringle was instrumental in GlobalPort’s win over Talk n Text with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and four big time steals. The Batang Pier would lose their battle versus Alaska where he drilled in 15 markers to go with his seven boards and eight dimes and was able to accomplish a double-double as the Beermen brought the Batang Pier back to earth with a 26-point drub. Compared to his previous work, this week isn’t his best but truth be told, these statistics are far more superior than what the other rookies are racking.

Gone from the previous week are Kia’s Karl Dehesa and Joshua Webb as well as Anthony Semerad for three games of inactivity. At the outside looking in are Dehesa, Webb, Ginebra’s Rodney Brondial, NLEX’s Juneric Baloria, and Alaska’s Rome dela Rosa.

Check out next week!

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Syd Salazar is a blogger for Philstar.com and NBA.com Philippines. His views are purely his own.