MANILA, Philippines – Philip Paniamogan was named the NCAA Press Corps-Accel Quantum Plus/3XVI Player of the Week after steering Jose Rizal University to solo third spot at the end of the first round.
Paniamogan waxed hot in the second half as the Bombers subdued Mapua, 87-78, last Monday.
JRU, which last made to the Final Four in 2011, will enter the crucial second round trailing behind defending champion San Beda College (7-1) and second-running Arellano University (7-2).
Paniamogan, who is averaging 18 points this season, beat for the weekly plum supported by Bactigel hand sanitizer, Doctor J Mighty Alcohol and Mighty Mom Dishwashing.
"Gusto talaga naming makabalik sa Final Four kaya pinagbubutihan ko yung laro ko," said Paniamogan, who also had three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 36 minutes of play.
Scoreless in the first 20 minutes of play, Paniamogan found his shooting touch in the last two periods by drilling in 26 points to lift the Bombers to their fourth consecutive win and sixth overall in nine matches.
JRU exploded for 30 points in the third period to take a 68-63 advantage and posted the game’s biggest lead at 82-68, as the Cardinals could not put the clamps on Paniamogan’s outside sniping.