(c) PBA Media Bureau
In terms of the team standing, you may be surprised to find Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Phoenix Fuel Masters at the top. The two favorites, San Miguel Beermen and Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel, are on their tails.
So, where do you think will they land in our latest ranking?
Let us find out.
#12 Blackwater Elite (#12 Last Week)
What is the biggest need of the Elite? They need someone who will lead their offense. Allein Maliksi is doing a fine job with 14.7 points but he was only given 24.6 minutes per game.
#11 Columbian Dyip (#11 Last Week)
Of course, the biggest weakness of Dyip is connected to their shallow frontline rotation. They are the worst rebounding team. They are also lacking a player who can consistently score inside. Almost, all the points of their bigs are from the outside.
#10 Meralco Bolts (#10 Last Week)
At 2-3, Meralco will remain hopeful of having a meaningful run to the playoffs. Although the numbers are actually pretty clear that they will not stand a chance. They are the 3rd worst team in terms of FG% and 4th worst in terms of 3FG%.
#9 NLEX Road Warriors (#8 Last Week)
NLEX has a pretty unique problem with their rotation. Their guard play is dragging down the production of their frontline. Coach Yeng said that they will be making a trade to improve it. At the time of the writing of this ranking, that has not happened.
#8 Alaska Aces (#9 Last Week)
Of course, the biggest question for the Aces is their health. Vic Manuel, Jayvee Casio, Kevin Racal and Simon Enciso failed to play in their first three games. Although, it is encouraging that their younger guys are stepping up, led by Jeron Teng who is manufacturing 13.7 points in 35% FG shooting.
#7 Magnolia Hotshots (#3 Last Week)
It was hard for me to put Magnolia above the other non-SMC teams in the top 6. With their injury-issues, lack of a giant to depend on and with their 0-3 start, Magnolia on a very rough spot. The two numbers that add to my worries is the 26% shooting from beyond the arc and the 17.7 assists per game, both 2nd worst in the league.
#6 North Port Batang Pier (#6 Last Week)
If Moala Tautuaa sustained his play for the rest of the elimination round, the Batang Pier deserves to be respected in the playoffs. Mo is averaging 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 64% FG in their first four games, with 2 three-pointers made. This was the Moala that TNT wanted when they drafted him.
#5 Phoenix Fuel Masters (#7 Last Week)
Although they have the 2nd best record, I still cannot trust them because of their roster that doesn't have a giant. Nonetheless, their gang rebounding, aggressive defense and the fast-paced scheme are working. Will it work to win a crown?
#4 TNT Ka-Tropa (#4 Last Week)
I am a believer, just like TNT, of what statistics told us that three-point shot is the best shot in basketball. TNT is averaging 38 attempts per game, connecting on 27% of them. They have a plethora of legit shooters so I expect their efficiency to go up which will lead to more victories.
#3 Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel (#2 Last Week)
This is a pretty hard decision for me but I think Rain or Shine deserves to be at the top 2, forcing me to push down Ginebra to #3.
Their lack of shooting is really scaring me because even with their size, they will be much easier to defend in a playoff series. One internal-remedy for this could be to give more minutes for Kevin Ferrer who is shooting 36% from beyond the arc and with 1.0 made per game.
#2 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (#5 Last Week)
They have the size. They shoot threes. They have depth. They have chemistry. And they are winning. I think, the time has come for us to take the Elasto Painters seriously.
What makes them scary is the number of shooters that they have in each position. With proper game-planning in the playoffs, they will have a path to victory against anyone, including Ginebra and San Miguel.
#1 San Miguel Beermen (#1 Last Week)
What if the Beermen loss one or two more games do they deserved to fall out of the top place? I think the answer will still be no because history dictates that talent is the main indicator of success. Although the chemistry with Terrence Romeo is still not there, they can actually win the championship even without Terrence.
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