PBA Player of the Week: Menk sparks rise of the Kings

source: gmanews.tv

There are ony two Most Valuable Players for the Baragay Ginebra Gin Kings – Eric Menk and Jayjay Helterbrand.

But only one them played true to form.

At a tiem when the Gin Kings needed a quick turnaround to keep their season going, Menk provided the spark to be chosen as the hands down choice of the PBA Press Corps as the Player of the Week for May 10 to 16.

Menk beat Williams, who was traded to Talk N Text recently, for the honors.

The man known as Major Pain averaged 16.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists that approximated his numbers during his 2004-05 MVP for season.

Not bad for a 35-year-old, who went into the week averaging just 7.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in Ginebra’s first eight games in the Fiesta Conference.

Now, the Kings are safely ensconced at fourth-running spot with a 6-4 win-loss record and Menk is undeniably a big factor.
Uichico rightfully maintains it is his most senior player setting the tone for the rest of the team.

“He has been working extra hard to be in the best shape possible and is so focused on his game," said the multi-titled tactician.

It was the moment the Gin Kings were waiting for. The team was uncharacteristically scrambling coming into the week, having lost three of their its last four games. Even the squad’s lone win was nothing to brag about, barely squeaking past another struggling team in Air21, 101-100, last May 5.

Then came Menk’s 20-point explosion against Barako Coffee that was capped by six points in a 12-0 windup, tiding the Kings over from an 81-90 deficit and deficit and into a 93-90 win last Wednesday.

“The other guys were looking for me and luckily my shots went in," said Menk. “It was an escape, but it's good we came out with the win."

It was also a good morale and confidence builder as Ginebra went on to handily beat Sta. Lucia, 102-85, last Sunday, marking the first time in four meetings this season the Kings won over the Realtors.

With Mildon Ambres, Ronald Tubid and Jayjay Helterbrand showing the way, Menk was content with a 12-point, eight-rebound production. - RCJ, GMANews.TV