In our previous article, we discussed the five (5) playmakers who topped the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) in dishing out the most assists per game. This time, we will focus on another set of players who are instrumental in anchoring their team's interior defense, an often overlooked aspect of the game but is equally important as scoring.
These are the players who will be the last line of defense when the team's perimeter defense breaks down. They will gladly deny entry whenever an opponent sneaks into the ring,
Take a look at the five (5) players who deserve recognition as the best blockers in the league.
1. ARIS DIONISIO (2.3 blocks per game)
Aris Dionisio is already on his way to the Philippine Basketball Association after the Manila Stars suffered a humbling defeat in their North Division Semifinals match against the unheralded Makati Supercrunch. While he failed again to reach the National Finals in his second year in the league, he definitely cemented his legacy as the undisputed "Tapal King" for two consecutive seasons.
For the Lakan Season, Dionisio swatted an average of 2.3 shots a game which is .08 below his 2.38 average in the Datu Cup. He recorded his highest rejections in a game with six (6) blocks against the Bataan Risers last January 09, 2020. If that's not good enough, he also recorded five (5) blocks in four (4) games and four (4) blocks in three (3) matches. And perhaps his best defensive highlight of the season was when he chased and blocked a potential game winner by Peejay Barua to preserve an 86-85 win against the Quezon City Capitals.
Denying shots at the rim is not the only calling card of Aris Dionisio. He is also well regarded as a versatile 6'5 forward who can score inside and outside.
As a matter of fact, he is Manila's second highest scorer with an average of 12.7 points a game behind Carlo Lastimosa's 14.3 production. Other than scoring, Dionisio led his team in rebounding with seven (7) boards a game while stealing the ball 1.7 times, just behind Chris Bitoon's 1.8 steals a night.
It was therefore not surprising why he was drafted ninth (9th) overall by the Magnolia Hotshots in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft. His complete game speaks for itself and the scouts took notice even though he did not graduate from a UAAp or NCAA member school.
2. JAYBOY SOLIS (2.07 blocks per game)
The 6'3 Jayboy Solis of the Parañaque Patriots was just a rookie in the Lakan Season yet he already established himself as one of the elite blockers in the league. For sure many basketball fans are unfamiliar with Jayboy Solis because just like Aris Dionisio, Solis did not play for any UAAP or NCAA team.
But make no mistake though, Solis is equally talented and has been a reliable contributor on both ends of the court. In addition to being the second best shot blocker in the MPBL with an average of 2.07 blocks a game, he is Parañaque's second best scorer with 8.9 markers per match while grabbing five (5) boards and stealing at least one (1) possession each outing.
His performance might be surprising to some who are not familar with the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) where he showcased his talents. But to those who have been following his collegiate career, his defensive and offensive skills has steadily improved. The young Solis posted an averages of 22.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1 steal, and 3.5 blocks to notch the regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the recently concluded 2019 UCBL season where he carried his team to the finals.
Nevertheless, his raw talent needs polishing and the MPBL will surely provide him the avenue to do so. Watch out for this kid.
3. JAYSON GRIMALDO (1.9 blocks per game)
Jayson Grimaldo is already an MPBL champion as part of the inaugural champions Batangas City Athletics in the Anta Rajah cup. His team, however, failed to defend its crown in the two succeeding seasons as more teams that joined the league paved the way for the entry of former professional players and collegiate stars who elevsted the competitiveness of the MPBL.
The 6'5 Grimaldo, nonetheless, proved to be a bright spot on the defensive end for the Athletics with his imposing presence in the shaded area, even though he played mostly off the bench. With an average playing time of 17.7 minutes, Grimaldo helped the Athletics in many ways aside from blocking 1.9 shots a game by scoring 5.3 points and grabbing 4.5 rebounds each game.
While his statistics are not on an all-star level, his impact to the team is beyond what the numbers show. The hustle plays and his elite defense often brought life to his team when needed the most.
Certainly, Grimaldo finally found a team that has a role for him after his PBA journey did not pan out the way he wanted it to be. He was drafted 21st overall by the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 2017 PBA draft but was eventually traded to the Kia Picanto squad for LA Revilla. Thankfully, the MPBL was founded a year later for displaced PBA players like him.
4. LARRY RODRIGUEZ (1.6 blocks per game)
Just like Grimaldo, Larry Rodriguez is also an ex-PBA player who won a championship title in the fledgling MPBL. The similarities, however, end there.
What sets Rodriguez apart is that he had a longer career in the PBA where he played from 2008 to 2016. In addition, he still has a chance to get his second championship ring this Lakan Season as the San Juan Knights and the Makati Supercrunch are yet to play a do-or-die game 3.
And unlike Grimaldo, Larry Rodriguez is a starting center and has been a consistent contributor offensively and defensively for the defending champions. His average of 1.6 blocks a game is the fourth (4th) best in the league while his scoring output of 9.6 points per outing made him the third (3rd) leading scorer for the Knights just behind John Wilson and Mike Ayonayon.
Larry Rodriguez was unfortunately injured during the second game of their North Semis match against the Pampanga Giant Lanterns last March 4. This is the reason why he was unable to play in the two North Finals matches versus Makati. Fortunately for him, the games remain suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic which will allow him to fully recover.
5. ROBBY CELIZ (1.5 blocks per game)
Completing the list is the do-it-all forward Robby Celiz of the General Santos City Warriors. While Celiz is widely known for his prolific scoring, the 6'3 forward has been doing it all for the Warriors, especially during the absence of their leading scorer Mikey Williams.
On top of his scoring average of 14.7 points and rebounding of 7.8 boards a game, Celiz' proved he can also be a legitimate defender at the rim after he rejected an average of 1.5 shots per match. His all around game sadly went to naught after they were eliminated for the second year in a row by the Gab Banal-led Bacoor City Strikers.
These are the players who will be the last line of defense when the team's perimeter defense breaks down. They will gladly deny entry whenever an opponent sneaks into the ring,
Take a look at the five (5) players who deserve recognition as the best blockers in the league.
1. ARIS DIONISIO (2.3 blocks per game)
Aris Dionisio is already on his way to the Philippine Basketball Association after the Manila Stars suffered a humbling defeat in their North Division Semifinals match against the unheralded Makati Supercrunch. While he failed again to reach the National Finals in his second year in the league, he definitely cemented his legacy as the undisputed "Tapal King" for two consecutive seasons.
For the Lakan Season, Dionisio swatted an average of 2.3 shots a game which is .08 below his 2.38 average in the Datu Cup. He recorded his highest rejections in a game with six (6) blocks against the Bataan Risers last January 09, 2020. If that's not good enough, he also recorded five (5) blocks in four (4) games and four (4) blocks in three (3) matches. And perhaps his best defensive highlight of the season was when he chased and blocked a potential game winner by Peejay Barua to preserve an 86-85 win against the Quezon City Capitals.
Denying shots at the rim is not the only calling card of Aris Dionisio. He is also well regarded as a versatile 6'5 forward who can score inside and outside.
As a matter of fact, he is Manila's second highest scorer with an average of 12.7 points a game behind Carlo Lastimosa's 14.3 production. Other than scoring, Dionisio led his team in rebounding with seven (7) boards a game while stealing the ball 1.7 times, just behind Chris Bitoon's 1.8 steals a night.
It was therefore not surprising why he was drafted ninth (9th) overall by the Magnolia Hotshots in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft. His complete game speaks for itself and the scouts took notice even though he did not graduate from a UAAp or NCAA member school.
2. JAYBOY SOLIS (2.07 blocks per game)
The 6'3 Jayboy Solis of the Parañaque Patriots was just a rookie in the Lakan Season yet he already established himself as one of the elite blockers in the league. For sure many basketball fans are unfamiliar with Jayboy Solis because just like Aris Dionisio, Solis did not play for any UAAP or NCAA team.
But make no mistake though, Solis is equally talented and has been a reliable contributor on both ends of the court. In addition to being the second best shot blocker in the MPBL with an average of 2.07 blocks a game, he is Parañaque's second best scorer with 8.9 markers per match while grabbing five (5) boards and stealing at least one (1) possession each outing.
His performance might be surprising to some who are not familar with the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) where he showcased his talents. But to those who have been following his collegiate career, his defensive and offensive skills has steadily improved. The young Solis posted an averages of 22.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1 steal, and 3.5 blocks to notch the regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the recently concluded 2019 UCBL season where he carried his team to the finals.
Nevertheless, his raw talent needs polishing and the MPBL will surely provide him the avenue to do so. Watch out for this kid.
3. JAYSON GRIMALDO (1.9 blocks per game)
Jayson Grimaldo is already an MPBL champion as part of the inaugural champions Batangas City Athletics in the Anta Rajah cup. His team, however, failed to defend its crown in the two succeeding seasons as more teams that joined the league paved the way for the entry of former professional players and collegiate stars who elevsted the competitiveness of the MPBL.
The 6'5 Grimaldo, nonetheless, proved to be a bright spot on the defensive end for the Athletics with his imposing presence in the shaded area, even though he played mostly off the bench. With an average playing time of 17.7 minutes, Grimaldo helped the Athletics in many ways aside from blocking 1.9 shots a game by scoring 5.3 points and grabbing 4.5 rebounds each game.
While his statistics are not on an all-star level, his impact to the team is beyond what the numbers show. The hustle plays and his elite defense often brought life to his team when needed the most.
Certainly, Grimaldo finally found a team that has a role for him after his PBA journey did not pan out the way he wanted it to be. He was drafted 21st overall by the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 2017 PBA draft but was eventually traded to the Kia Picanto squad for LA Revilla. Thankfully, the MPBL was founded a year later for displaced PBA players like him.
4. LARRY RODRIGUEZ (1.6 blocks per game)
Just like Grimaldo, Larry Rodriguez is also an ex-PBA player who won a championship title in the fledgling MPBL. The similarities, however, end there.
What sets Rodriguez apart is that he had a longer career in the PBA where he played from 2008 to 2016. In addition, he still has a chance to get his second championship ring this Lakan Season as the San Juan Knights and the Makati Supercrunch are yet to play a do-or-die game 3.
And unlike Grimaldo, Larry Rodriguez is a starting center and has been a consistent contributor offensively and defensively for the defending champions. His average of 1.6 blocks a game is the fourth (4th) best in the league while his scoring output of 9.6 points per outing made him the third (3rd) leading scorer for the Knights just behind John Wilson and Mike Ayonayon.
Larry Rodriguez was unfortunately injured during the second game of their North Semis match against the Pampanga Giant Lanterns last March 4. This is the reason why he was unable to play in the two North Finals matches versus Makati. Fortunately for him, the games remain suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic which will allow him to fully recover.
5. ROBBY CELIZ (1.5 blocks per game)
Completing the list is the do-it-all forward Robby Celiz of the General Santos City Warriors. While Celiz is widely known for his prolific scoring, the 6'3 forward has been doing it all for the Warriors, especially during the absence of their leading scorer Mikey Williams.
On top of his scoring average of 14.7 points and rebounding of 7.8 boards a game, Celiz' proved he can also be a legitimate defender at the rim after he rejected an average of 1.5 shots per match. His all around game sadly went to naught after they were eliminated for the second year in a row by the Gab Banal-led Bacoor City Strikers.
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