Willy Wilson career game merits PBA Player of the Week honor

MANILA, Philippines -- Barako Bull veteran forward Willy Wilson stood tall among the glittering individual career performances the past week following his huge effort that carried the Energy to a pulsating 105-98 overtime win over powerhouse Talk ‘N Text last Thursday.

While giving up more than six inches in height against the Tropang Texters’ taller and younger front court composed of rookies Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario, the former La Salle banger more than held his own on the way to a career-best game of 28 points and 20 rebounds.

The fourth overall pick of Alaska in the 2004 PBA Draft was a picture of intensity against Talk ‘N Text as he used his vast experience to outwit his younger defenders, helping Barako Bull secure a playoff spot in the process.

The Energy improved to an even 4-4 win-loss record in the process.

“I’m not a big stats guy. If I get the stats, great, as long as it contributes to a win,” said the 12-year veteran, who is averaging PBA career-high numbers of 16.3 points, 12.8 rebounds in 3.1 assists.

“If I get the stats but we don’t win, it’s all for nothing. Nobody’s gonna read about, oh, Willy Wilson got this and that if the team lost.”

A PBA journeyman who played for Alaska, San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra, before winding up with Barako Bull, Wilson was the hands-down choice for the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the week (for the period of Dec. 1-6), beating young PBA superstars led by San Miguel Beer June Mar Fajardo and Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter, along with Star playmaker Mark Barroca.

Fajardo was coming off a season-high 35 points in San Miguel’s easy 102-86 demolition of Mahindra, while Slaughter banged in a PBA career-high 35 points and hauled down 15 rebounds in Ginebra’s 102-94 overtime win against Blackwater.

Barako Bull shoots for its fifth win in the season-opening Philippine Cup this Friday when it faces Blackwater in the first game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.