(c) PBA Media Bureau
We are down to the last few weeks of the elimination round of the 2018 Governors Cup. Five teams are already assured of a playoff spot, while only two teams are out of the race.
For the teams that are already assured of reaching the playoffs, they have these players that may need more minutes in the next round.
Who are they?
Let us run them down.
#5 Rafi Reavis
I think Magnolia badly needs Reavis. In my recent article, I pointed out the struggles of Ian Sangalang and I think one way to help him out is to provide more minutes to Reavis who has a net rating of +6.44 and only playing 16.1 minutes.
The rim protection and the length of Reavis are needed on the defensive side of Magnolia. His ability to take down lobs and make good cuts to the basket also helps their offense.
#4 Mac Belo
Belo is not getting a lot of minutes in the elimination round but he is still closing games, most of the time. Belo is averaging 8.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 38% 3FG per game.
His ability to hit threes efficiently is needed by the Elite. They need to stretch the floor better in the playoffs because they do not have dynamic guards who can consistently breakdown a tight formation.
#3 Chris Exciminiano
Defense is the name of the game for Exciminiano. Nobody will be amazed by his counting numbers of 5.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 50% FG and 37% 3FG in 18 minutes per game.
His net rating of +9.6 is mind-blowing. It simply means that Alaska outscores their opponent by 9.6 points for the time that he is on the court. He is that impactful not because of his offense but because of his defense.
#2 Art Dela Cruz
Art is finally back to the PBA court and as expected, it was worth the wait! The fear that he will again acquire an injury will always be there but that should not stop coach Tim Cone from maximizing him. Especially, if Joe Devance will still be out by the playoffs.
In 18 minutes of play, he is producing 9.5 points, 2.5 assists, 1 steal, 47% FG and 60% 3FG per game. He is intelligent on both ends of the court and of course, his outside shooting is a need for the Kings.
#1 Calvin Abueva
The Beast continues to be a Beast even though he is not playing 30+ minutes per game. He is only playing 23.7 minutes per game and still manufacture 14.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 blocks, 43% FG and 36% 3FG per game.
If we convert those numbers to 36 minutes of play, we will get 21.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.4 blocks. Sorry to Ginebra fans out there, but Abueva is still the best in terms of filling up the stat sheet. If he can sustain his outside shot, Abueva should be playing 30 minutes in the next round.
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