Newsome is the best Eboña rookie of the week

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY: Fueling Meralco’s electrifying career, guard Chris Newsome was hailed as the second PBA Press Corps Player of the Week in the Philippine Cup bubble over the Oct. 19-26 period.

Newsome scored 20.5 points, six rebounds, six assists and 1.5 blocks in the Bolts’ big wins over Magnolia and NLEX that got them off a slow start and into the crowded group in the middle of the standings with a 3-1 record. two.

The athletic 6-foot-2-inch cager scored 23 points, including crucial baskets, in Meralco’s 109-104 overtime win over the Hotshots last Tuesday.

Newsome, who also had seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks, diverted credit to his teammates in that overtime win.

“It was a great team effort. We have a lot of guys hitting big shots, ”he said.

The 30-year-old guard then set up 18 markers, six boards, six dimes and a block to take the Bolts past the Road Warriors, 101-92, last Friday.

Meanwhile, Alaskan great man Barkley Eboña claimed PBAPC’s Rookie of the Week honors.

Learning from former two-time MVP Danny Ildefonso, the 6-foot-6 puncher sparked a breakout week, pumping averages of 17.3 points, four rebounds, 1.3 assists and a block to help the Aces improve to 3-3.

“I am grateful that he (Ildefonso) was there to guide me as I played,” Eboña said.

The FEU No. 4 overall pick exploded with a career-high 24 points, the most production yet for a rookie, to go with two rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a 120-82 blowout over former coach Nash. Racela and Agua Negra.

Eboña was a bright spot with 18 points, five rebounds, one steal and one block in Alaska’s 88-92 loss to defending champion San Miguel.