Red Bull's Valenzuela is Player of the Week

Junthy Valenzuela of Red Bull was chosen as the PBA Press Corps' Smart-Accel Player of the Week (POTW) for the week covering October 22 to 28 for his outstanding performance in leading the Barakos to an 86-75 win over the Welcoat Dragons last Wednesday (October 24). Valenzuela, known more for his hard-nosed defense, came off the bench to shoot a career-high 27 points, according to a statement issued on Monday by the PBA Press Corps. That victory enabled that George Chua-owned franchise to bounce back from a 95-102 loss to Barangay Ginebra in their conference debut two Fridays ago (October 19). Valenzuela also made five rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a sterling all-around performance. that was appreciated by no less than Bulls head coach Yeng Guiao. "Very rare magkaroon ng Player of the Week from Red Bull because our system doesn't highlight individual effort," Barakos coach Yeng Guiao said. "It just means Junthy really deserves it. He is our best all-around player." Guiao was then serving out a one-game suspension but watched the game. The 6-foot-3 guard-forward said the numbers he put up were just gravy for the splendid defensive efforts the team as a whole put in, limiting the Dragons to just 32-of-87 field shooting (36.8 per cent) and 16 turnovers. "Mas importante na maka-depensa kami dahil hindi kami p'wedeng lumaban ng paramihan ng shoot sa mga kalaban. Kung dati siguro p'wede. Hindi na ngayon. Ngayon kailangang sa depensa kami naka-focus," Valenzuela said. Valenzuela edged out Alaska's Jeff Cariaso, first week winner James Yap of Purefoods, Sta. Lucia's Paolo Mendoza, and Magnolia's Lordy Tugade. But these players still have a chance to be included in the deliberations for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC). From this season on, the PBA Press Corps will award a graduating points scheme to the POTW winner and also to his closest challengers picked by the Scribes themselves. At the end of the conference, the points totals will be taken into account when the press corps members vote for the BPC, which is also crucial in choosing the season MVP. - GMANews.TV