Player of the Week, John Arigo

COCA-Cola's John Arigo is the perfect example of a forgotten man making people realize he's still around. Sta. Lucia Realty's Joseph Yeo is the exact opposite, repeatedly reminding everybody he won't go away.
This the Accel/KFC PBA Press Corps' Co-Players of the Week for the period Dec. 15 to 21 stressed by leading their respective teams to much-needed wins and the realization of their short-term goals in the Philippine Cup.

Arigo flashed his old fiery form of old by scoring 31 points in spearheading the undermanned Tigers in a come-from-behind 88-86 win over Red Bull last Friday and into a slot in the wildcard phase.



"It was a classic case of a veteran taking over," said Coke interim head coach Kenneth Duremdes of Arigo's memorable game at the hilltop Ynares Center in Antipolo, tiding the team over despite the absence of injured key frontliners Asi Taulava and Nic Belasco.



"Kung kailan kailangan talaga namin nag-respond siya and ipinakita niya na isa pa rin siya sa leaders ng Coca-Cola Tigers," Duremdes added.



Yeo's case was different. He took over from defending champion Sta. Lucia's struggling starters and poured in a game-high 25 points to rally the Realtors to a 102-98 victory over Red Bull last Sunday for a 10-8 win-loss slate and an outright quarterfinals berth.



"Yeo stepped up the most and it's sort of expected because he's really been our ace off the bench," said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez of the man widely known as "The Ninja," who scattered 22 of his points in the second half and, mainly with team captain Dennis Espino, boosted their comeback from a 45-65 third quarter deficit.



"Ganoon talaga ang game ko, pag nakuha ko na ang rhythm, buwelo ko," reasoned the former UAAP and PBL star. "Ipinapakita ko lang ang capability ko to create offense, draw the defense."



A sixth man-role is also one Yeo, a No. 3 pick by Coke in the 2006 Draft, is comfortable with.



"Every time na gusto ni coach na may mag-step up, lagi niyang ipinapaalala sa akin na 'Ikaw ang inaasahan ko,' lalo na pag masama ang laro ng first five."



It was the sort of expectations heaped on Arigo, the No. 5 pick in 2001 who seemed to have faded from the limelight following a spate of injuries and run-ins with head coach Binky Favis.



The 30-year-old, nicknamed "The Arsenal," was given the chance to shine Friday and he did not disappoint as his points output was his highest since a career-best-tying 35 points in a 104-97 win over FedEx during the 2004-05 edition of the same tournament.



He shot 13-of-20 from the field, including 4-of-6 from the three-point area, and likewise pulled down eight rebounds as Coke wound up the eliminations with a 7-11 win-loss record.



The finish was good for only ninth spot, but it is one Duremdes and his team, given up for lost, could live with.



"We survived at napaka-importante noon dahil we still have something to look forward to in the conference," said Duremdes.