UST’s Mirza is UAAP Player of the Week

Rookie Khasim Mirza of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers bested two University of the East Red Warriors for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Press Corps' ANTA Player of the Week award. Mirza helped the Growling Tigers to post a 4-3 record that is good enough for a three-way tie in third place with Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and Far Eastern University Tamaraws, the association said Tuesday in a press statement. The skinny, six-foot-four forward from Antipolo City, earned the nod of the UAAP Press Corps for averaging 18.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 24 minutes in his past two games. Also nominated to the weekly citation were Kelvin Gregorio and Mark Borboran who powered the Red Warriors to a 7-0 sweep of the first round. Mirza's game scores were a quantum leap from the 6.6 points and 3 rebounds in 12.4 minutes of play in his first five games. While the Growling Tigers were blowing hot-and-cold, Mirza started heating up in the Tigers' overtime loss to the La Salle Green Archers, 86-90, on July 29. Mirza tallied 12 points, four rebounds, and one assist in 20 minutes of action against the Archers, before unloading a game-high of 25 points on August 4 as the Tigers bounced back with an 87-74 victory over the Blue Eagles. In his career-high performance, Mirza proved his worth by knocking down 12 points in a fourth-quarter scoring spree that broke the backs of the Blue Eagles. His six three-pointers also tied this season's record of most number of triples made. - GMANews.TV