This season is shaping up to be a very competitive one. Phoenix Fuel Masters and Blackwater Elite are not pushovers anymore. Magnolia and Ginebra are trying hard to breakout and join SMB as title favorite.
The quality of the games could be the highest in the history of the league.
In short, the play inside the court is trying to save the shortcomings of the PBA management.
So, who are the teams that are rising up in the rankings? Who are falling? Let us find out.
#12 Kia Picanto (Previously #12)
The performance of Blackwater in their last two games was a huge slap to the face of the PBA. For them to even see Kia as a PBA participant is beyond me.
#11 Phoenix Fuel Masters (Previously #11)
Two wins against NLEX and Mahindra propelled Fuel Masters above .500. Don't get too excited though. They gave up 102 points to Kia.
#10 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (Previously #8)
It is getting much harder to trust Rain or Shine to return to their playoff form. Globalport was able to limit them to 70 points. That is a very bad sign. But the worst is, their aging frontline is under performing. Without a credible frontline, there is no way they are passing the quarterfinals.
#9 Globalport Batang Pier (Previously #8)
In three games, only Sean Anthony was able to provide more than 13 points in a game to help Stanley Pringle. He did it twice, but that is not enough to help Stanley. Without consistent sidekick point producer, Globalport could fail to be a top 8 team at the end of the elimination round.
#8 Blackwater Elite (Previously #10)
I love what coach Leo Isaac is doing with Raymar Jose. Jose is starting, but his highest playing time in three games was 24 minutes. The 22 minutes average playing time is good enough for him to make an impact and go all out that his weaknesses are not exploited.
Coach Leo Isaac is growing on me as an elite coach. I just hope that he finds a way to utilize Ael Banal.
#7 NLEX Road Warriors (Previously #7)
Their defeat against Magnolia is not that bad. It put the focus on two of their major weaknesses. Their rebounding needs some jolt because they have slow footed bigs. And Alas needs some time to get acclimated playing second-fiddle, again.
#6 Alaska Aces (Previously #6)
Coach Alex has not learned his lesson. The minutes-distribution is not the real enemy, it is the fact that he is not making Abueva feel, that he is the Ace player of the team.
Once Abueva receives the consistent minutes that he really deserves, his maturity in the floor will shoot up. He will finally feel the responsibility of carrying a franchise.
#5 Meralco Bolts (Previously #5)
Ken Bono is the top story for the Bolts. He manufactured 17 points in 24 minutes in 80% shooting in their last two games. The bad thing is. Coach Norman is having a hard time juicing out any offense from Jason Ballesteros.
#4 TNT Ka-Tropa (Previously #4)
Limiting San Miguel to 88 points is excellent. Failing to score more than 76 points is really bad. I think, Anthony Semerad is getting more minutes than what he really deserves. He is a good defensive player and can shoot, but how about the monstrous athleticism of Tautuaa and the scoring ability of Garcia?
#3 Magnolia Hotshots (Previously #3)
Mark Barroca's offense is the definition of atrocious. Opening the door to a Jio Jalalon takeover. I am not totally sure if Magnolia can be a better team if Jio maintains the scoring aggressiveness that I saw in their game against NLEX. If he does, the outlook of Magnolia will be shifted.
#2 Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel (Previously #2)
Who is the most consistent player in Ginebra, today? Yes, it is Scottie Thompson. And I think, that is one of his best quality. Without the responsibility of scoring that much, his effort and focus are consistent on rebounding and making the right passes. Pushing him to grabbed more than 8 rebounds and dished more than 4 assists in their first three games.
#1 San Miguel Beermen (Previously #1)
Arwind Santos is averaging 12.3 points. Marcio Lassiter is making 17.7 points. Alex Cabagnot is manufacturing 20.7 points. June Mar Fajarddo is dominating with 23.0 points. Wait, there is more.
Comments
Post a Comment