Martin San Diego | FCF

In the biggest game of the first round, lanky big man Raymond Almazan became a force in the paint to give Letran College a head up on the team standings.

Almazan may not have won the one-on-one duel against San Beda counterpart Ola Adeogun in their recent Finals rematch, but they got the all-important win and his efforts merited him this week’s citation as Fullcourtfresh.com’s Hero of the Week.

The fourth year Bataan native, who was also named the ACCEL/3XVI NCAA Press Corps Player of Week, registered 22 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocked shots in their 74-67 victory against their Season 88 finals tormentor.

Following the team’s sub-par performance against Perpetual Help just nine days prior, and with the loss against the Red Lions still fresh in his mind, the 6-foot-8 beanpole put out all the stops to aid the Knights in a highly physical encounter for sole leadership to end their respective first round campaigns.

“Noong alam ko na magtatapat kami ng (San) Beda, ang mindset ko talaga ‘yung game last year (Finals). Gustong-gusto kong makabawi,” said Almazan of his performance Saturday night.

For the season, he has posted norms of 14.1 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocked shots per ballgame — all ranking within the top ten of the league’s best in each category.

Other players on this week’s shortlist of top performers included UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week awardee Terrence Romeo of FEU, hotshot rookie guard Juneric Baloria of Perpetual Help, and forward Jason Perkins of De La Salle.