Top 5 Breakout Candidates in 2019

(c) PBA Media Bureau

Who are the five players that I am confident to breakout in the 2019 season of the PBA? Here is the list.


#5 Rabeh Al-Hussaini
With the departure of JP Erram, Blackwater will need to distribute his minutes. Rabeh is their most underrated center that could benefit the most with the minutes. He received consistent playing time in the Governors Cup and it was pretty obvious that he was the most skilled. This could be his last chance of proving himself as a starting caliber center.

#4 Art Dela Cruz
After several injuries, Dela Cruz finally played last Governors Cup for Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel. His statline of 7.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 42% FG and 50% 3FG per game was promising. With his skillset, coach Tim Cone is more than willing to give him consistent minutes. It is up to Art to take advantage.

#3 Norbert Torres
One guy that I have been waiting to breakout is The Bear, Norbert Torres. He is now 28 and he is now on a team with an aging frontcourt. In the Governors Cup, he averaged 7.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 38% 3FG per game. The combination of his size, length and shooting are so perfect to not believe on him.

#2 Mac Belo
It is easy to dismiss the 2018 season of Belo as a disappointment. But in the Philippine Cup, he was actually terrific as he manufactured 15.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 41% FG per game. If he can sustain that for all the three conferences, Belo will legitimize himself as a franchise caliber player.

#1 Troy Rosario
I am making a bet here for putting Rosario as the #1. Why? Because the coaching staff's emphasis on three-point shooting is really high. TNT averaged the most three-point attempts in the Governors Cup. During the conference, Rosario averaged 4.9 attempts in the conference.

Rosario has a good shooting form and he is very disruptive on both ends of the court. With his athleticism, shooting form, defense and basketball IQ, Rosario has a good chance of blossoming in the most modern scheme in the PBA.

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