2016-2017 Early Top 5 2017 Rookie of the Year Candidate

(c) PBA Media Bureau

I am pretty sure, you are excited about the rookies of your favorite team but who will  be the top performers this season?

Here are the top 5 candidates.

#5 Joseph Eriobu
The most important ingredient to win the Rookie of the Year is opportunity, and Eriobu will have plenty of that with Mahindra. I don't think Escoto can already produced ROY numbers but I think Eriobu can. Eriobu could sport a well-rounded statline and his playing time will be more secured because Mahindra will surely search for an import who can play center.

#4 Rogey Pogoy
Even with the absence of Jayson Castro, I was still shock to see Pogoy play 30 minutes in their first game. I think, Coach Nash Racela is really fond of him so he will get the opportunity to produce. If his outside game become consistent, he could accumulate a good statline. 

#3 Kevin Ferrer
Coach Tim Cone is not the type of coach that will give plenty of minutes to his rookies, right away. But, Ferrer could be a different case because he could be their best shooter, right away. If he could be that sniper that could help the team, he could get that opportunity and he could be a real ROY threat.

#2 Matthew Wright
Coach Ariel Vanguardia knows what Matthew Wright can do and he was really excited when they got him. I will not be shock if he makes Wright, his primary scorer right away. If Matthew can be efficient from the outside and give us a little bit of playmaking, he will be a great challenger to our #1 contender. 

#1 Mac Belo
One game is enough to say that Belo is really the nearest to the plum. He made 17 points, 9 rebounds and 7/9 FG in his first game. I watched the game and I think that was not yet the best of Belo. Barring no injuries, Belo will win this award.