After a month of fierce matchups and intense rivalries, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde created some separation with the rest of the field after blazing to solo top spot of NCAA Season 100 with a 7-2 tally through the first round.
San Beda University, Mapua University, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, meanwhile, are its closest pursuers as the three squads feature identical 6-3 cards followed by University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Emilio Aguinaldo College, and Lyceum of the Philippines University, all of which have 4-5 records.
Jose Rizal University and Arellano University are both at 3-6 while San Sebastian College-Recoletos sits at the cellar with a 2-7 slate.
Here's a look at who stood out after the first half of the centennial season.
The Pirates' veteran shooter John Barba emerged as the top scorer amongst all players, posting an impressive average of 19.78 points per game after a scorching offensive display in a nine-game stretch, which saw him explode for a career-high outing and two consecutive 25-point outbursts.
The fourth-year Barba once dropped a career-best 28 points to lead their 97-92 win over JRU before detonating for back-to-back 25-point showings against Arellano and Mapua.
Reigning MVP Clint Escamis of Mapua came in second with 17.44 points while Paeng Are of San Sebastian, Jimboy Estrada of Letran, and Joshua Guiab of JRU followed suit with 16.33, 16.0, and 15.56 markers per game, respectively.
Allen Liwag of Benilde, meanwhile, led the rebounding department after grabbing 12.67 boards a game while Tristan Felebrico of the Stags poured in 8.22 rebounds to emerge as the second best rebounder.
Estrada also shone in this department with 7.89 rebounds at third spot, followed by the San Beda duo of Jomel Puno and Yukien Andrada, who both collected 6.78 boards through nine outings.
Estrada has also emerged as the top playmaker, alongside seasoned LPU guard Greg Cunanan, as both guards dropped 5.0 assists, followed by 4.78 dimes from Are who also paced the steals department with 2.67 a game.
Another Letran star made it to the leaderboard with third-year big man Kevin Santos copping a league-best 2.67 blocks per game while young JRU bruiser Ivan Panapanaan followed with 1.56 rejections.
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—JKC, GMA Integrated News
