THE TOP FIVE PBA SHOOTING GUARDS RIGHT NOW

The big men and the small ballers have been pretty much lording it over the current PBA conference, what with June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Jayson Castro, and Sol Mercado continuously making headlines. Still, one cannot discount how important shooting guards are to the scheme of things in our local version of the Association.

To illustrate, just recently, Gary David erupted for a total of 58 points in Meralco’s last two games, both of which ended up to be wins. Also, some of the league’s most marketable cagers play this position. Do James Yap and Mark Caguioa ring any bells?

In this post we will look at the top five shooting guards in the 2014 PBA Philippine Cup, based principally on their player efficiency ratings, or EFF.

Note: Stats as of the morning of January 11, 2014.

5. Jeff Chan (ROS) – 14.1ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.7apg, 2.7 triples per game, 46.6 3pt%, 47.1 FG%, 29.1 EFF

The Gilas sniper has carried over his deadly form from the FIBA Asia tourney all the way here to the 2014 season. Needless to say, he has been on-target in the Philippine Cup, hitting nearly half of his three-point attempts (third in the league at 46.6%) and leading almost everyone in three-pointers made (tied for first with Paul Lee). Now if he could only produce as well on the defensive end…

4. John Wilson (MER) – 13.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, 1.6 triples per game, 40.5 3pt%, 29.6 EFF

The former King Heavy Bomber may not share the pedigree or luster of many of the PBA’s other SGs, but he has certainly been one of the most consistently productive ones early in the season. Wilson has scored 10 or more points in every one of Meralco’s last ten games, averaging better than 40% from beyond the arc. And will you look at his rebounding? This guard has had seven games where he’s hauled down 5 or more rebounds. Don’t sleep on John Wilson, folks.

3. Marcio Lassiter (PET) – 14.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.5apg, 1.0spg, 1.7 triples per game, 29.8 EFF

Lassiter has been on an up-and-down trend lately, but, by and large, he has still been one of the best SGs in the league. He just creates so many match-up problems on both ends of the floor, and his ability to create and finish just makes him such a dangerous mark. He struggled a bit with the absence of June Mar, but he should settle into a groove now that the Kracken has returned.

2. Gary David (MER) – 17.7ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.7apg, 2.1 triples per game, 37.3 3pt%, 31.9 EFF

What can I say? El Granada, despite being 35 already, continues to wax hot in the PBA. He’s the top-scoring SG in the league, top four in total three-pointers made, and top three in total field goals made. Just a born scorer, this one, and that’s exactly what he’s been doing so far. David is still far from his superb 2011-2012 season numbers, but that doesn’t mean anybody would be comfortable leaving this guy open.

1. Joseph Yeo (A21) – 14.8ppg, 5.3rpg, 6.3apg, 1.8 triples per game, 84.8 FT%, 33.7 EFF

Surprised? I mean, it’s neither James Yap or Mark Caguioa. It’s Joseph Yeo! Yes, the Ninja. Yes, the guy who barely saw action for Petron last season. Yes, THAT guy is the best SG in the PBA right now. This has been, so far and by far, his best pro season yet. His numbers are at all-time highs, and it seems his moving to Air21 was the jolt his career needed. Now he’s not just a super scorer, he has also proven to be an awesome playmaker. His 6.3 assists per outing is third-best in the league right behind LA Tenorio and Mike Cortez.

Outside looking in:

James Yap (SMC) – 28.7 EFF

Larry Fonacier (TNT) – 28.6 EFF

Cyrus Baguio (ALA) – 26.6 EFF

Enzo Flojo has been writing about all things basketball for quite some time now. You can read more of his stuff on his nationally-recognized blog, HoopNut.com, on the college hoops site, InboundPass.com, on Rappler Sports, on Asia-Basket.com, or you can follow him on Twitter — @HoopNut.

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