UST’s Amiel Acido.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Rookies Amiel Acido of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers and Cielo Pagdulagan of the National University Lady Bulldogs both put on outstanding performances as their teams finished strong in the final week of the elimination rounds of the UAAP Season 87 basketball tournaments.

For their veteran-like performances, Acido and Pagdulagan were named Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) UAAP Players of the Week for the period of November 13 to 23 entering the much-awaited Final Four.

Acido edged out fellow nominees in UP’s Quentin Millora-Brown in a close battle, along with teammate Mo Tounkara, UP’s Harold Alarcon, and NU’s PJ Palacielo to earn the final POW award of the season.

The 6-foot-4 rookie tallied 14 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block in UST’s decisive 75-49 victory over Adamson, propelling the team to the Final Four for the first time in five years.

“Nagpapasalamat lang ako sa mga gumabay sakin, lalo na sa coaches, sa teammates ko, and then sa mga PTs. Sila yung naging rason kung bakit ako nandito posisyon na to. Sobrang thankful ako sa kanila and grateful din ako sa mga blessings na dumadating sakin and sa opportunity na binigay ni Coach Pido.” said Acido, who came up huge in the second half with clutch three-pointers to anchor UST’s runaway.

“Sobrang saya ko hindi lang para sa sarili ko pero para sa buong team rin. Matagal na nilang gustong makabalik sa Final Four. Ang mindset ko lang simula palang nung una is pag nabigyan ako ng chance, gagawin ko lang lahat para makacontribute para sa kanila, and yun nga, para matupad namin yung goals namin as a team.” he said as UST enters the semifinals as the third-seeded squad.

NU Lady Bulldogs’Cielo Pagdulagan.–UAAP PHOTO

On the other hand, Pagdulagan was the top choice for the weekly honor in women’s basketball over bigger names like UP’s Louna Ozar, UST’s Kent Pastrana and Tacky Tacatac, NU’s own Angel Surada and UP’s Kaye Pesquera.

The 19-year-old standout has been steady in their last two games, hitting well from the field to steer the Lady Bulldogs in their victories over DLSU and FEU to complete a 14-0 sweep and clinch an outright finals slot.

Pagdulagan averaged 11 points, three rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.5 blocks to become the second Lady Bulldog to win the weekly plum after veteran Camille Clarin with back-to-back Player of the Week citations for last year’s runners-up midway through their redemption tour.

“Super happy kasi first year ko tapos nag-sweep po agad kami sa may finals. Pero gaya nga po ng sinabi ni Ate Angel, job’s not done. Kung bakit po kami nag sweep sa finals kasi wi-nork po talaga namin. And yun nga, hindi pa po tapos ang laban, so kailangan pa po namin mag trabaho.” said Pagdulagan.

“Di kami magiging kampante. 10 days nga yun so yung mga lapses namin ngayon, pwede naming magawan ng paraan so pagdating ng Finals, hindi na kami masyadong mahirapan and makapag-adjust kami.”

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Heading into the Final Four with a 10-day break, Pagdulagan sharedcombonanza casino, “Di kami magiging kampante. 10 days nga yun so yung mga lapses namin ngayon, pwede naming magawan ng paraan so pagdating ng Finals, hindi na kami masyadong mahirapan and makapag-adjust kami.”

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