The 2018 Commissioner's Cup is less than a week away. That doesn't mean that the teams should just take a back seat and let it play out. Especially, when they just witnessed the dominance of San Miguel Beermen.
So today, we will check on Alaska, Globalport, and NLEX. Three teams with capable cores but may still lack some key puzzle pieces.
ALASKA - Raymond Almazan
Alaska is not the kind of franchise that will make a big deal. But if there is a time for them to make one, it should be this season. Why? Because they will not beat San Miguel in a series and that may even be true with Ginebra.
Why?
Because they do not have a legit bigman to stop the giants of those two squads. So, how about Raymond Almazan?
Let me repeat this point again, Almazan is the rarest big in the league. He can shoot from the outside, handle the ball and protect the rim. I think, Rain or Shine knows that and they are asking for a huge price for him.
If I am Alaska, I will offer my 2018 1st, and two of Sonny Thoss, Davon Potts, Noy Baclao, Jayvee Casio and Kevin Racal.
Just imagine a fastbreak with Almazan, Abueva, and Teng running the floor. Size plus power. That will be hard to stop.
GLOBALPORT - A Shooter
Globalport was one of the fastest teams in the Philippine Cup. Don't expect them to slow down with the arrival of Mo Tautuaa because Mo can also run.
Adding another deadly shooter will pump up their offense. The FG% of Globalport in the recent conference was 39.7% and that was the 10th. Their efficiency from the outside is worst, 29.1%, 11th in the league.
One buy low guy that they may target is Ronald Tubid. Tubid shot 44.4% from beyond the arc in the Philippine Cup. The good thing is, that is not a flash-in-the-pan number. He has been a three-point assassin in the last few seasons.
Offering a 2nd round pick for him could be enough.
NLEX - A legit bigman
In the Philippine Cup, NLEX owned the 23rd best rebounder in the league. That is unacceptable. They need to add more size inside.
The problem is, bigmen is scarce in the league. One guy that should interest coach Yeng Guiao is the other behemoth of Ginebra. I am not talking about Japeth Aguilar, I am pointing on Jericho De Guzman.
De Guzman is a legit 6'11, although his skills are not yet on a level that deserves playing time in the PBA. Fortunately for NLEX, they have the best coach in developing players. And De Guzman will have a great mentor in JR Quinahan.
Of course, NLEX could still be in talk about two former wards of coach Yeng. I am talking about Raymond Almazan and Beau Belga.
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