Player of the Week June 22 to 28

AS TALENT-laden as Barangay Ginebra is, there’s still no doubt as to which among its players the others look up to the most.

“He has taken the job of being our leader,” said Kings head coach Jong Uichico, referring to Jayjay Helterbrand who has been adjudged as the Motolite/Accel-PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week for the period June 22 to 28.

The wily guard led the defending champions to three straight wins this past week, enabling them to dispose of upstart Rain or Shine and wrap up their best-of-seven semifinals series, four games to two.

The defending champion Kings thus earned a return trip to the Finals, where they will take on sister team San Miguel Beer in another race-to-four affair.

Mainly because of Helterbrand, who shone the most in a team that boasts of a fine import in David Noel and other outstanding locals, among them the indefatigable Ronald Tubid, fellow national pool member Cyrus Baguio, dervish Paul Artadi and workhorse Billy Mamaril.

It was the second such citation for the 32-year-old in the tourney as he was also given the same honors for the period May 4-10. The Best Player of the Conference in the same tournament last year has the numbers to back him up.

In the Finals berth-clinching 108-100 win last Sunday, Helterbrand finished with 17 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals, capping a week where he emerged as the most consistent player in the semis, being named Best Player of the Game in their first three wins in the series.

Prior to Game 6, the 5-foot-11 product of Kentucky State-Lexington had 19 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in a 96-85 Game 5 win, which also came on the heels of his 21 points, four assists and three rebounds in an 86-70 Game 4 victory.

“When he assumed that role as leader and its corresponding responsibilities he has also become a better all-around player,” noted Uichico.

Uichico also points out Helterbrand’s role in the team will be further enlarged in the Finals since they are already without Mark Caguioa and, most probably due to his recurring calf injury, former MVP Eric Menk.

“Definitely, he’ll be the one we’ll most likely look for,” said the grizzled coach. (NCo)