(c) PBA Media Bureau
Remember the last conference? Phoenix Fuel Masters and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters were the top two teams after the elimination round, with Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel at the 3rd spot and San Miguel Beermen at the 6th spot.
Rain or Shine was a very interesting team last conference because they won against Ginebra, San Miguel and Magnolia in the elimination round. Actually, Phoenix also won against San Miguel and Magnolia.
Phoenix and Rain or Shine managed to reach the semifinals but of course, failed to outdo San Miguel and Magnolia, respectively.
So, should we believe the hot start of the Blackwater Elite in this Commissioner's Cup?
Let us see.
Three-Point Shooting
The Elite are currently the most efficient three-point shooting team in the conference with 40% rate of connection. The problem is, it could only be a hot streak because they are actually attempting the third least amount of three-pointers.
Last conference, only Michael DiGregorio was hitting above 31% from beyond the arc. In their first six games this conference, they have four other players other than DiGregorio that are hitting better than 34%. I am talking about Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Allein Maliksi, Rio Sumang and Mac Belo.
So, I am not trusting them to maintain that efficiency which means they could be having a hard time in their last five games because, in mathematics, you will always go back to the mean.
Rebounding
They are currently the fourth best rebounding team with 51.2 per game. With Alex Stephenson in the middle, cobbling 22.0 per games, they should be able to maintain this elite area. This should help them maintain their three-point shooting and also heir rabid bench scoring, 2nd most in the league.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr.
There is no doubt that the upcoming playoff run of Blackwater will depend on how great Parks will be. He is currently the best player of this conference, averaging 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 42% FG and 39% 3FG per game. He is currently the 2nd best local scorer and the 13th best in terms of three-point mades.
He exhibited the ability to carry Blackwater into wins just like what he just did against NLEX last Saturday. The defense against him in the playoffs will be much tougher and I think his outside shooting will be the key to sustain his production.
Contender or Not?
After what happened last conference, it is hard to trust any non-SMC teams to be a contender. I trust the greatness of Parks but in the playoffs, his supporting cast could be exposed. Thus, I will not still anoint them as a championship contender.
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