Willie Miller of Alaska is Player of the Week

Willie Miller of the Alaska Aces was named by the PBA Press Corps as Player of the Week for the period covering October 29 to November 4 for leading his team to three straight victories. Miller thrived under highly physical games allowed by recent changes in PBA rules. "It wasn't pretty, with all the shoving, holding and pushing that are being allowed by the refs," coach Tim Cone said in a statement issued by the PBA on Monday. "Fortunately, we've got the No. 1 player in the league used to that kind of a game." Miller got used to playing rough while playing with the Nueva Ecija Patriots in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). "He can as easily bang bodies or use his quickness to blow by any defender," Cone said. "He can also dish out the same banging to the ones he's defending." "Masarap din dahil sanay na, pero masakit din sa katawan," Miller said. "Pagkatapos ng laro saka mo na lang iindahin ang masakit na tuhod, dibdib, mga ganoon." To show he is indeed accustomed to the physicality of the games, Miller has racked up impressive numbers – 24.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists – while leading Alaska to victories over defending champion Ginebra and Welcoat last week. In a 103-92 overtime win over the Gin Kings, the 6-foot guard tied his conference-high with 35 points, throwing in seven rebounds and five assists in the process. He scored seven in the extension, more than doubling the Kings' entire output of just three points. He was held to just 14 points and five rebounds against the Dragons, but the Aces still managed to win their third straight game that more than made up for a 0-2 start. - GMANews.TV