Mail & More proves worth by subduing top teams

For a team to have realistic chances of contending for the title, it must find out ways to beat the best. Dark horse Mail and More did just that.

Beating leader Henkel-Sista and co-second placer Hapee Toothpaste-PCU, the Comets have proven they are capable of going all the way despite coming into the PBL Silver Cup as one of the underdogs.

"I think for us to become legitimate title contenders, we need beat the strongest teams," said Mail and More coach Lawrence Chongson. "We’ve done that, I guess other teams are considering us real contenders right now."

Heavy on determination and teamwork, Mail and More strung up five wins in seven games, including giant-size victories over pacesetter Henkel-Sista (6-2), 65-58, on Dec. 2 and fellow No. 2 Hapee-PCU (5-2), 66-63, exactly a week after.

Bull strong JR Quinahan was just one of the many reasons the Comets are winning as the former University of Visayas hotshot has been dishing out superb efforts worthy of an MVP plum.

The 6-6 Quinahan, in fact, is showing the way in the MVP statistical race with an 18.71 efficiency rating points ahead of Nigerian Sam Ekwe of Magnolia Ice Cream, Dennis Daa of Toyota Otis, Ken Bono of Cebuana Lhuillier-Pera Padala and Yousif Aljamal also of Magnolia with 17.71, 16.86, 15.71 and 13.63 rating points, respectively.

Quinahan, picked from the dispersal draft last October after Granny Goose Tortillos disbanded, has been the heart and soul of the Comets as he averaged 14.71 points and 9.43 rebounds (third-best), 3.14 blocks (league best) and two assists.

"When we picked him (Quinahan) from the dispersal, we know he’s the one," said Chongson. "He’s been showing us that he deserves his top spot on the team."

Mail and More also got the right players to complement Quinahan’s play like Mike Bravo, Marvin Yambao, Nestor David, Ronjay Buenafe, Wynsjohn Te, Kenneth Coyukang and shotblocking phenom Elmer Espiritu.

"We have in this team role players who are hardworking, that’s one of our strengths," said Chongson.