Tuesday, October 07, 2008 Mercado named Player of Opening Weekend
SOLOMON Mercado sort of came under the radar when he was tabbed at No. 5 by Alaska in the PBA Rookie Draft last Aug. 31.
Then the doubts around him grew when he was traded the very next day to Rain or Shine.
Not anymore.
Now everybody’s taking notice of the six-foot guard following his impressive debut for Rain or Shine last Sunday in the KFC Philippine Cup and making him the hands-down choice as the Smart Accel- PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Opening Weekend.
The former standout for Biola University led the Elasto Painters to a 120-102 shocker over the Air21 Express, winding up with a game-high 29 points for the best rookie debut since Asi Taulava’s 32 for Talk ’N Text in 1999.
He also had seven rebounds, four assists and just one turnover in 34 minutes of action to handily beat out Talk ’N Text’s Jared Dillinger, the No. 2 overall pick who had 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in the Tropang Texters’ 98-97 squeaker over Coca-Cola on opening day Saturday.
Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia commented that Mercado’s unexpected explosion was due to the shroud of unfamiliarity surrounding the trim 200-pounder. “Hindi pa kasi siya nakikitang maglaro,” he said with a sly grin.
Alaska coach Tim Cone had no such reservations on the 24-year-old, who first strutted his wares for Harbour Centre in the PBL.
Special player
“We knew he could be a special player,” said Cone in explaining the trade that also involved Eddie Laure and the Elasto Painters’ Joe Devance and second round picks in 2010 and 2011.
Puzzle
“But the thing is, he didn’t fit our puzzle at that time. Not with our backcourt of Willie (Miller), LA (Tenorio) and Larry (Fonacier). And Joe is a piece in our puzzle.
“It’s a good trade. We knew he would get the time and the touches with them (Rain or Shine). It’s a win-win situation for everybody.”
As if to prove Cone’s words, Mercado displayed an assortment of moves and touches that had those watching his first PBA game at the Cuneta Astrodome readily comparing him to Barangay Ginebra’s prolific Mark Caguioa.
He made his first two shots, both left-handed drives through traffic, before displaying another facet of his game by scoring 14 of his points in the second quarter, anchored on a 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
Those helped Rain or Shine overcome a 24-31 deficit, post a 61-53 halftime lead and turn the game into a rout that was deemed inevitable after the Elasto Painters erected as much as a 109-89 spread.
It marked the first time the team formerly known as Welcoat triumphed in an opening assignment and fanned hopes it will now avoid its usual finish at 10th and last.
Garcia would rather take it one game at a time, but was justifiably pleased with his charges’ initial showing.
“Again, this is just our first game and we’re still the youngest team in the league. But ipinakita nilang they’re really made for the PBA. Iba talaga ang puso ng mga bata,” he said. (PBA Media Bureau)
