Gilas guards Wright, Pogoy, Jalalon pace PBA Rookie of the Year race
From left: Phoenix's Matthew Wright, TNT's RR Pogoy, and Purefoods' Jio Jalalon. | Composite Image/PBA Photos
MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas guards are definitely a class of their own.
Phoenix’s Matthew Wright, TNT’s RR Pogoy and Purefoods’ Jio Jalalon lead the bunch of freshmen in contention for this season’s Rookie of the Year.
The Filipino-Canadian Wright currently leads the race with 26.07 statistical points (SPs). But Pogoy and Jalalon, who have amassed 23.06 and 21.59 SPs, respectively, have a chance to turn the tide into their favor as their teams remain in the hunt for the season-ending Governors’ Cup crown.
Wright’s Fuel Masters were eliminated by the Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beermen in the elimination phase.
The KaTropa, currently enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage, look to punch their semis ticket today at the expense of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Star doused the hopes of NLEX to turn their season around after knocking the Road Warriors out Tuesday night.
Barangay Ginebra’s Kevin Ferrer is at far fourth in the race with 15.83 SPs. Kia’s Reden Celda is fifth (13.99 SPs), followed by the Elasto Painters’ Ed Daquioag (13.43 SPs), and the Fuel Masters’ Joseph Eriobu (12.9 SPs) and Gelo Alolino (11.91 SPs). Ninth on the list is Meralco’s Mike Tolomia with 11.89 SPs followed GlobalPort’s Jonathan Grey, who finished the season with 10.23 SPs.
Wright, Pogoy and Jalalon all served the national team in three of its biggest tournaments this year. They compete alongside each other in the SEABA Championships last May and in the Jones Cup last July where the Philippines reigned supreme. They also saw action in the FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon where they finished seventh with a 4-2 record.
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