‘EKWE PLAYED IN WRONG JERSEY’

Escobal is week’s top pick

07/20/2008

Nothing could stop San Beda skipper Pong Escobal from dishing out his best, not even a bout with typhoid fever.

Hampered by the ailment that hit him over a week ago, the unflappable Escobal still churned out a pair of clutch performances in powering the three-peat seeking Lions to two of their total four victories in Season 84 of the NCAA basketball tournament.

Escobal delivered the key baskets in a come-from-behind overtime win over San Sebastian, 84-83, Monday; and in a 74-51 win over St. Benilde, 74-51, on Friday to gain the NCAA Press Corps’ nod as its Player of the Week.

“I didn’t think I was sick, I just play my best and think of how I could help the team,” said Escobal, a 22-year-old native of Davao City who played high school ball for Stella Maris High School in the same city.

Even his coach was impressed.

“He (Escobal) got hospitalized because of typhoid fever,” said San Beda mentor Frankie Lim. “But he showed a lot of poise and when the going gets tough, that guy gets tougher.”

Escobal edged Nigerian teammate Sam Ekwe and Letran’s Dino Daa and RJ Jazul in a tight four-cornered fight for the weekly plum handed over by a group of sportswriters from the country’s leading broadsheets and tabloids covering the league.

Ekwe averaged 14.5 points, 15.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, Daa 21.5 points, 16 boards, 3.5 assists and three steals and Jazul 18.5 points, seven caroms and five assists.

Escobal, who had norms of 17 points and five assists, however, turned in the most clutch effort to seal the plum.

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