Performance at Hoops Dome gives Yeo weekly crown

THE PETRON Blaze Boosters got an extra boost from an unexpected source as the man known as “The Ninja” Joseph Yeo scattered 27 points to help the squad eke out an 86-80 win over the Alaska Aces in their out-of-town game held at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday.

Yeo also had eight rebounds and four assists during that game, enough to notch him the Player of the Week honors for the period of Oct. 31 to Nov. 6.

Going into that game the Boosters have lost three straight and were without injured off-guard Chris Lutz, who has started in place of Dondon Hontiveros, in turn out for at least the conference because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Yeo slid into the spot and did not disappoint as he scored 13 points right in the first quarter and 11 in the payoff period, including the insurance lay-in basket that gave the Boosters an 84-80 lead, time down to just 34 seconds.

It was the highest output by the former De La Salle standout since moving over to the team formerly known as San Miguel Beer during the 2009-10 season.

It was also sort of unexpected since Yeo, drafted third overall by Coca-Cola in the 2006 draft and who has strutted his wares with Sta. Lucia Realty, was averaging just 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing.

The win improved Petron’s record to 4-3 (win-loss). More important, it seemed to have restored the bearing and confidence the team needs for that push going into the last half of its elimination round assignments.  Correspondent Jonas Panerio