As expected the stars of the top-heavy 2017 Rookie Class shone the brightest in the mini tournament of the 2017 PBA Rookie Combine.
Kiefer Ravena stood above the rest of the competition, scoring a day-high 24 points in A-2’s win over the Davon Potts-led A-3. Ravena’s team includes Jason Perkins, Lervin Flores, Robbie Herndon, Chris De Chavez, Elmer Cabahug, and little-known Christian Geronimo.
A-2 currently is unbeaten with a 2-0 record in the mini tournament that has a Php 75,000 prize for the top team.
Also impressing in Team A-2 is Robbie Herndon. The Filipino-American, who traces his roots in Cebu, scored a total of 39 points in the day, showcasing his range from deep.
Jett Manuel, who was initially part of A-2 but was traded to join Raymar Jose’s A-1 to balance the Group A, made sure to make a mark. Jose and Manuel led A-1 to a 72-68 win over A-3 as the two tallied 24 and 22 markers respectively.
Potts, on the other hand, impressed despite a 0-2 record for A-3. Potts, a Filipino-American who plays for the San Beda Red Lions, fired on all cylinders, totaling 29 points for the day.
In the other group, Jeron Teng showcased his entire arsenal in the two games played by the 2-0 B-3. In their first game, Teng settled to being a facilitator to lead his team to a 44-41 win over B-1. He then showed his scoring prowess in B-3’s 49-48 win over B-2, scoring 23 points.
Former UST Growling Tiger Louie Vigil led B-2 to a 1-1 slate, finishing with 33 points for the day.
The top two teams in each group advances to the crossover semifinals on Tuesday, October 24.
The Scores:
First Game:
A-2 (71) – Perkins 20, Flores 13, Herndon 13, De Chavez 8, Ravena 7, Cabahug 6, Manuel 4, Geronimo 0.
A-1 (49) – Casiño 12, Dagangon 12, Moralde 11, Jose 8, Apreku 4, Dela Peña 0.
Second Game:
B-2 (60) – Vigil 17, Gabriel 13, Palma 12, Sumido 7, Baltazar 6, Sargent 3, Torres 2.
B-1 (58) – Bringas 16, Juico 15, Ortega 11, Onwubere 8, Capacio 6, Grimaldo 2, Sollano 0.
Third Game:
A-1 (72) – Jose 24, Manuel 22, Dagangon 10, Apreku 6, Casiño 5, Moralde 5.
A-3 (68) – Potts 13, Nalos 12, Bulawan 10, Tallo 10, Gabayni 9, Enguio 9, Arong 5.
Fourth Game:
B-3 (44) – Teng 10, Grospe 9, Neypes 8, Nicholls 8, Abrigo 5, Sara 4, Cahilig 0.
B-1 (41) – Juico 19, Capacio 8, Sollano 6, Grimaldo 3, Ortega 3, Onwubere 2, Bringas 0.
Fifth Game:
A-2 (69) – Ravena 24, Herndon 23, Flores 14, Perkins 8, Geronimo 0, Cabahug 0, De Chavez 0.
A-3 (58) – Potts 16, Gabayni 12, Arong 10, Tallo 9, Nalos 5, Bulawan 4, Enguio 2.
Sixth Game:
B-3 (49) – Teng 23, Grospe 10, Neypes 4, Abrigo 7, Sara 5, Nicholls 0.
B-2 (48) – Vigil 16, Gabriel 9, Sargent 9, Baltazar 6, Palma 6, Torres 2, Sumido 0.
