Round one of the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament was hella exciting. We saw upsets abound, and we saw some players exceed preseason expectations. The parity we’re seeing is quite different from what we’re used to, and this heightens our anticipation even more for the coming second-round games.
Of course, the best UAAP basketball players right now are busy prepping for the next seven games on their respective schedules. All of them are aiming to lead their teams to victory, qualify for the Final Four, and eventually claim the elusive championship trophy.
Here we’ll discuss the Top 20 UAAP Season 85 players so far after round one. These are purely based on our stats and our efficiency calculations. For more info on these, check out this unofficial UAAP Season 85 stats microsite we’ve made.
These players are among the cream of the crop. Many players on this list were expected to be here, but there are several who may surprise you. Who’s in? Who’s out?
Before we plunge into the top 20, some honorable mentions left out are the likes of Terrence Fortea (UP), JB Sajonia (FEU), John Lloyd Clemente (NU), CJ Austria (La Salle), and Kevin Quiambao (La Salle).
20. Omar John (NU) – 8.1ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.7bpg, 14.9 EFF
The new NU big man has looked solid. He averages a near-double-double and is third overall in blocks per game. His FT shooting (35.7%), however, does leave a lot to be desired.
19. Dave Ildefonso (Ateneo) – 14.3ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.9apg, 14.9 EFF
Ildefonso leads the Blue Eagles in scoring and is their second-best rebounder. He needs to cut down on those turnovers, though (2.9).
18. Zav Lucero (UP) – 11.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.7spg, 15.1 EFF
I had Lucero as an MVP favorite before S85 began. That’s a wash now, but he’s still among UP’s finest weapons. Take note that his scoring, rebounding, and blocks (0.6) are all down from S84.
17. Mike Malonzo (NU) – 7.6ppg, 6.4rpg, 55.3 FG%, 15.7 EFF
The undersized frontliner doesn’t do one thing excellently, with the exception of being a very efficient shotmaker. Still, he’s kind of a jack-of-all-trades who just gives a ton of value to the Bulldogs.
16. L-Jay Gonzales (FEU) – 11.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.4spg, 15.9 EFF
After a slow start, Gonzales seems to have finally settled into a groove. He is currently second overall in steals per game, though his shooting splits (36/31/56) need to get much better.
15. Kai Ballungay (Ateneo) – 12.1ppg, 4.0rpg, 47.1 3pt%, 15.9 EFF
Like Gonzales, Kai Ballungay seems to have finally adjusted. Remember that he had 21 points in a whale of a game against the Soaring Falcons last week. For his size, though, he needs to be a stronger presence on the boards.
14. Lenda Douanga (Adamson) – 10.0ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.1bpg, 16.1 EFF
The burly Adamson center isn’t top five in any major category, but he’s a solid complement to Jerom Lastimosa. He needs to shoot much better from the free-throw line, though (52.4%).
13. Nic Cabañero (UST) – 17.7ppg, 7.1rpg, 3.1apg, 16.1 EFF
The super sophomore has been one of the few bright spots for UST so far. He’s second overall in scoring while also leading UST in assists and second in rebounding.
12. Jake Figueroa (NU) – 9.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.3apg, 16.3 EFF
The UAAP Season 82 High School Boys’ MVP continues to impress. Like Malonzo, Figueroa doesn’t dominate in a single category, but he does so many things so well. Now if he can only hit a three.. (12.5%).
11. Forthsky Padrigao (Ateneo) – 12.9ppg, 6.1apg, 2.1spg, 16.4 EFF
Speaking of hitting threes, Padrigao has been among the Blue Eagles’ main weapons from long range (2.0 per game). He’s also second overall in assists per game and tops in assist-to-turnover ratio (3:1 — minimum two games played).
10. Kyle Paranada (UE) – 14.3ppg, 4.6apg, 2.0spg, 16.7 EFF
The diminutive Fil-Am is tied for fifth overall in scoring and is fourth overall in assists per game. He’s not the most efficient shooter (38/27/59 splits), but he hasn’t yet met a shot he’ll shy away from.
9. Adama Faye (UST) – 11.7ppg, 9.7rpg, 5.2fdpg, 17.0 EFF
Faye has been rock-solid for UST. He’s a consistent double-double threat who is a magnet for opponents’ fouls. Too bad he shoots just 25.0% from the free-throw line. The 1.7 blocks per game is very good, though.
8. Jerom Lastimosa (Adamson) – 16.7ppg, 4.9rpg, 4.7apg, 18.1 EFF
The way Lastimosa is trending, I wouldn’t be shocked if catches up to Schonny Winston at the top of the scoring ladder soon. Lastimosa is just so prolific. He also leads his team in assists and fouls drawn per game (5.0).
7. Evan Nelle (La Salle) – 10.0ppg, 7.8apg, 2.4spg, 19.6 EFF
Known more as a big-time shooter, Nelle has done really well to lead the league in assists. Recall that he averaged just 3.7 assists per game in the S84 elims. He’s also top three in steals while averaging 1.8 triples per game.
6. Malick Diouf (UP) – 9.1ppg, 9.9rpg, 1.6bpg, 20.9 EFF
Diouf is maybe the finest workhorse in the entire league. He won’t give you 20 points a night, but he’ll be a double-double threat each game. He’s also an elite rim protector and an underrated passer (2.4apg).
5. Michael Phillips (La Salle) – 10.0ppg, 10.5rpg, 2.2bpg, 21.7 EFF
Phillips is one of only two guys currently averaging a double-double. He’s top two in both rebounds and blocks per game. He’s a ball of energy on the floor and is willing to sacrifice anything (even his tooth) to get the job done.
4. Carl Tamayo (UP) – 14.9ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.0apg, 21.7 EFF
MVP season? If UP keeps winning, we won’t be shocked if Tamayo does end up as MVP. He’s that good, but we already knew that, right? Despite being “load managed” a bit, he’s still among the top five most productive players in the league. Sheesh.
3. Schonny Winston (La Salle) – 21.3ppg, 6.1rpg, 3.0spg, 23.6 EFF
Winston has exploded this season. From scoring under 13.0 points in S84 to more than 21 now. What growth, right? He’s pro-ready, that’s for sure. And it’s not just volume, mind you. His shooting splits (43/33/80) are quite impressive, too.
2. Luis Villegas (UE) – 13.0ppg, 9.3rpg, 1.9spg, 23.7 EFF
Villegas is not eligible to win Rookie of the Year, but he has been the best new face so far this season. He’s the biggest reason UE is still in the Final Four hunt.
1. Ange Kouame (Ateneo) – 11.4ppg, 11.4rpg, 2.6bpg, 25.3 EFF
The reigning MVP is holding on as the most productive guy after round one. That’s very impressive given how he’s still recovering from his ACL injury. Ange leads the league in blocks and rebounds while shooting 55.2% from the field and 40.0% from beyond the arc. If you’re Ateneo, what more can you ask for?
