Valenzuela’s Erwin Sta. Maria and Pateros’ Rickson Gerero were named World Balance Player of the Week for the North and South Divisions, respectively, in the opening week of the inaugural 2018 Metro League Open basketball tournament.
Sta. Maria averaged 24.5 pts on a sizzling 56% shooting from the field, inclusive of a 40% clip from 3-point range (2 of 5), and was a perfect 9 of 9 from the 15-foot line while adding norms of 10.5 rebs, 3.5 asts and 2.0 stls in the Workhorses’ twin wins over Taguig and Caloocan this past week that gained them a share of the North Division lead with Quezon City.
Sta. Maria, who was deadliest in their opening day 95-85 win over Caloocan last Sept. 30 with his 33 points, 14 rebounds, three steals and two assists, bested QC’s Cyrus Tabi and Sandy Señal and Caloocan’s Aevin Coquia and Johnnel Bauzon for the North Division Player of the Week recognition in the PBA & MMDA-backed tourney which has “Mobile App ng Bayan” Barangay 143 as presentor, Spalding as the official ball and Team Rebel Sports as official outfitter.
Gerero, on the other hand, averaged 18.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.0 block in Pateros’ first 3 games where they won two to grab the early lead in the South Division of this tourney which also has Synergy 88, San Miguel Corp., World Balance, Frabelle Foods, Summit Mineral Water, Alco Plus, Gerry’s Grill, Excellent Noodles, glitter.ph, SM Supermalls and Nature’s Spring as major sponsors.
