Let us do one more ranking before the official start of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup! We just found out about the line-up of each team and in this article, we will recognize a player from each team that I am most intrigued about!
#12 Blackwater (#12 Previously)
Even though the owner of the team actually expects a lot from his team, he will surely be disappointed as his team lacks any proven all-star. I am looking forward to finding out if Maurice Shaw is the real deal or just a product of the importance of size in the PBA.
#11 Phoenix (#9 Previously)
The surprised departure of coach Louie Alas and the impending return of Calvin Abueva will bring a lot of questions about the chemistry of the team. I am pretty sure though that a lot of you are looking forward to witnessing The Beast again, hoping that we will still see the production but not the antics.
#10 NLEX (#11 Previously)
A lot of people in the bubble are actually pretty high about NLEX because of the magic of coach Yeng Guiao. Although, it is pretty obvious that they do not have the firepower to go deep in the playoffs. One guy that has been praised by a lot of people is Raul Soyud and I want to know if he can really be another success story by coach Yeng.
#9 Alaska (#10 Previously)
I want to trust this historically-rich franchise that they will find a way to be part of the playoffs but I cannot find enough reason at this point. Jeron Teng was anointed as the future of the franchise. I want to see if he can already claim that this season.
#8 Terra Firma (#8 Previously)
Just looking at the line-up of the Dyip franchise and you will see where the question marks are. Their frontline rotation is full of bigs that will not start for any other team. Fortunately, a blue-chip prospect in Roosevelt Adams is coming. Is he as impactful as CJ Perez?
#7 Magnolia (#5 Previously)
Losing Marc Pingris will be huge. Offensively, Magnolia has good scorers to put up points and then their defense will contain the opponent to the right level of points for them to win. That defense will missed a huge part in Pingris. Jalalon is the guy that can be improved and try to offset some of the value that diminished with the absence of Marc.
#6 San Miguel (#6 Previously)
If you look at the line-up of the Beermen, you will see that not having MGR is actually a big negative for their rotation. Outside Santos, they lacked a forward that can consistently give them quality minutes. That will not be a problem if Moala Tautuaa maintains the production that he exhibited in their first game.
#5 Meralco (#7 Previously)
I am intrigued by the versatility of the line-up of the bolts. They can run a modern heavy-switching scheme on defense which could take the league by storm. I am looking forward to watching Bong Quinto. His ability to fill-up the stat sheet makes me wonder if what part of his game did he manage to bring up.
#4 Northport (#2 Previously)
Not having Bolick will be a huge deal. Nico Elorde will be a defensive mismatch during the playoffs. One guy though that may do something about that is Kevin Ferrer. The main price that the Batang Pier received in giving up a Stanley Pringle. If he can be a sustainable elite 3-and-D this season and maybe add at least three-to-four playmaking plays, Northport's chances will be better.
#3 Rain or Shine (#4 Previously)
Rain or Shine is basically this high because of the stability of their franchise and their roster. Overall, they are the safest bet to make the semifinals but I will be hard-pressed to bet that they are going to win the championship. Javee Mocon could change my mind if he can show me that he is still developing, with more things to offer.
#2 Ginebra (#3 Previously)
The reality is, I am debating about pushing Ginebra to #4 because of the injury concerns to Japeth Aguilar. An injury to Japeth will not end the possibility of a championship but it will be much much harder. Prince Caperal is the guy that could stabilize their status if he can prove to us that Ginebra was correct in not making a move to acquire another center even though Slaughter went on sabbatical.
#1 TNT (#1 Previously)
It is starting to feel like this tournament is for TNT to lose. Ginebra, San Miguel and Magnolia all have issues before the tournament even begun. While TNT was able to have their own bubble-training as preparation for this bubble-tournament. The question now is, what will be the role of Ray Parks? Will he remain to be a role-player or will they let him control the offense?
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