Colegio de San Juan de Letran rookie sensation Gia Maquilang and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA's skipper Louie Ramirez continued to dazzle as they bagged their second Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Players of the Week plums.
Maquilang detonated for a career-high 24 points alongside 11 digs and nine receptions to steer the Lady Knights to five-set escape of rival San Beda while also dropping 18 markers, 16 digs, and eight receptions in their stunner against erstwhile undefeated Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Maquilang's consistent effort saw the Lady Knights clinching their first Final Four appearance since 2012, or back in Season 87 when the Muralla crew reached back-to-back finals but lost to University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
The rookie sensation edged out another first-year ace in San Beda's Angel Habacon as well as San Sebastian’s Kath Santos, Mapua's Roxie Dela Cruz, and CSB veteran Gayle Pascual for the weekly citation.
This was also Maquilang's second Player of the Week citation after grabbing the same award four weeks ago.
Meanwhile in the men's play, the graduating Ramirez became the first back-to-back Player of the Week this season after steering the ALTAs to their fifth straight elimination round sweep.
The reigning MVP dropped 20 points on top of six digs and 14 receptions to lift the ALTAs past Benilde, 23-25, 25-16, 24-26, 25-15, 15-8, last Wednesday while he unleashed 20 markers and five receptions as they swept second-seeded EAC on Sunday.
With Ramirez showing his veteran leadership, Perpetual improved to 9-0 for an outright finals ticket as they moved two wins away from a fourth straight title.
The 24-year-old outside hitter beat teammate Jeff Marapoc and Letran's John Derrick Bautista.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
