2021 PBA Top 100 Players: Meet the Underrateds - Dillinger, Pessumal & Reavis!

 


For the 3rd straight year, we will present a top 100 player list! Even though we only conducted a single tournament in 2020, I think what we saw there was enough to update our current valuations of each player. 

To rank them, we used the following criteria.

Scoring (S) - 30
Primarily, this is the ability of the player to score. Their points per game were the primary statistics that were scrutinized but we also give a huge weight on the efficiency of the player. We also factor in the fact that there are a hundred ways to score. So the more ways a player score efficiently will also increase his points in this area.

Defense (D) - 30
Defense represents 50% of the game for a player. This score will take into account the ability of the player to stop someone, man-to-man. Now, the defense is not all about man-to-man but also about the capacity of a player to work in the defensive scheme of a team. Enjoined in this area is the ability of the player to get rebounds and to help his team control the flow of the game.

Offense (O) - 25
Scoring is the only goal of offense but the other factors that will pave the way for good scoring opportunities will reside in this area. Primarily, this is about the ability of the player to break down defenses and make plays for his teammates. Added into this is the intelligence of the player in making the right plays, reads and positions in helping out the team take a good shot.

Intangibles (I) - 15
There are four other elements of a player that basically form this criterion. They are leadership, chemistry, clutch, and health. Those four are not part of the first three but actually elevate a player. A good example is LA Tenorio. LA is not as valuable as the Tenorio that we know today without his ability to command and his 100% health status.

In the case of ties, they will be ranked according to age with the youngest being the highest.

We will begin with the 100th to 75th rank players.

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Rank. Name of the Player. Scoring/Defense/Offense/Intangibles

#75 John Pinto 7/17/14/8
#74 Aljon Mariano 8/19/10/9.5
#73 Alex Mallari 9/12/16/10
#72 Anthony Semerad 7/17/16/7
#71 Aaron Black 10/14/14/9


Even though he was not used that much in the PBA bubble, I did not lower Pinto's valuation that much because even with his lower minutes, he still showed his amazing defense and acceptable playmaking. Although, if he's laying time remains low this year, it will be hard to argue to keep him this high.

I am not the biggest fan of Mariano but I do see why coach Tim Cone kept on giving him high minutes. He is a very good defender who doesn't need the ball to impact the game. But, there was no denying that Ginebra suffered for his lacking of three-point shooting.

Easily the most underrated player of Phoenix Super LPG. Alex did not start the PBA bubble the right way because of an injury and his production suffered. Nevertheless, I still trust that he is still awesome as a decision-maker and acceptable on the defensive end.

Semerad is slowly building himself as one of the best three-and-D players in the league. In the PBA bubble, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 39% FG and 29% 3FG per game. His off-ball decision on offense is also showing some improvement.

I was mesmerized that Black was so effective right away in his rookie season. He manufactured 7.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 44% FG and 39% 3FG per game. He has a well-rounded game and he is very wise in deciding how to impact specific games.

#70 Brian Heruela 10/14/15/9
#69 Ed Daquioag 10/12/17/9
#68 Jared Dillinger 7/16/15/10.5
#67 Kris Rosales 4/20/14/10.5
#66 Simon Enciso 16/8/17/7.5


Brian is easily one of the most overlooked players in the PBA. Even though he was a revelation in his rookie season. Brian could be the personification of an above-average point guard. He is reliable on offense and pretty good on defense.

Ed was the price acquisition of Blackwater in the offseason, according to the owner of the team. He did show up with his 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 34% FG statline per game. Nevertheless, he is still very inefficient.

The Daredevil may never return to his form several years ago but in Ginebra, he managed to build himself as an important role player. His first step is not as fast in the past but Jared has been craftier. Defensively, I consider him as one of the most consistent off-ball defenders.

Rosales is a dog on defense. He is not the energetic type but he seldom loses his guy. He is very good at going through screens and reacts right away to the movement of the ball. Offensively, he is willing to be hit and has a usable first step.

Enciso found a crucial role in TNT. He is still a shot-chucker but his difficult shot-making did connect more in the PBA bubble. He is very crafty with the ball and capable of creating good shots. Nevertheless, his defense still has a lot of room to grow.

#65 Juami Tiongson 16/7/17/9
#64 Rodney Brondial 8/17/16/9
#63 Bong Quinto 10/13/17/10.5
#62 Garvo Lanete 14/12/16/9
#61 Raul Soyud 15/13/15/8

Tiongson continues to defy the odds as he found a good role with Terrafirma Dyip. He was the main point guard of the team and ended up averaging 13.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 40% 3FG per game. Can he continue it this year?

Another guy who found an upgraded role with a new team is Brondial. What I love about him is that even if he is undersized, you will seldom see that hindering him from providing impact to the game.

The depth of Meralco in their wing did not help Bong in exhibiting more of what he can do after a surprising first year in the league. Quinto is a cerebral player, capable of making plays for his teammates and defends pretty well.

Another one of the rising three-and-D player in the PBA. Garvo produced 12.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 44% 3FG and 2.7 three-pointers made per game. Other than his shooting, his better overall defense was obvious in the PBA bubble.

Coach Yeng Guiao is really an awesome coach. He again created a very good player in Soyud. After a few years of learning from the bench of NLEX, Raul finally erupted for 10 points, 6.9 rebounds and 74% FG per game. 

#60 Von Pessumal 10/15/18/8
#59 Roosevelt Adams 12/16/14/9
#58 Kevin Alas 21/9/14/7.5
#57 Abu Tratter 13/17/12/10
#56 RJ Jazul 14/9/20/10.5

Pessumal finally saw some good amount of playing time in 2020. He used that to averaged 7.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 33% 3FG per game. Even though his production is not that amazing, it was obvious to me how explosive his three-point shooting is and that he is very versatile on defense.

Stop labeling Adams a bust after a single tournament. Especially with the fact that he played in the wrong position for the majority of the tournament. Nevertheless, Adams is only 22 years old and has plenty of time to further enhance his game.

I am really happy that Alas found his way back to consistent playing time even after suffering several long-term injuries. What was surprising was that Alas ended up with the best plus/minus in the league. It speaks a lot about the revolution of Alas' game.

Alaska traded for Tratter for him to become their starting center. He looks impressive in the PBA bubble. He produced 11.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 56% FG per game. His athleticism was pretty obvious in his rebounding and defense.

Wright, Perkins and Chua were not the only hot shooters of Phoenix. Jazul was there too and ended up with 34% efficiency and 2.5 makes per game. What makes Jazul hard to guard is the fact that he has a reliable floater if they overload him from beyond the arc. 

#55 Jackson Corpuz 16/14/16/8
#54 Baser Amer 18/8/16/12.5
#53 Rafi Reavis 5/26/15/9
#52 Allein Maliksi 22/6/18.5/9
#51 Jewel Ponferada 8/23/16/8.5

I am still dreaming of the day that Corpuz will develop a reliable three-point shot. He is already an awesome off-the-ball player. Imagine him having the threat of a three-point shot and it will make him a much harder guy to defend.

Amer is struggling. It was not surprising due to the depth of Meralco in their guard rotation. Amer manufactured 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 39% FG and 35% 3FG per game. Amer is still one of the most consistent shooters in the league and can create good shots for his teammates.

Magnolia's defense is anchored to Reavis for a long time. And Magnolia has been an elite defense for several years now. Yes, that is how amazing Rafi's defense is. Unfortunately, it will be hard to ask Rafi to have another season of greatness on the defensive end due to his age. 

Maliksi continues to be one of the cerebral scorers in the league. He has a pretty good knock in creating good shots in the midrange. Maliksi ended up with the 13th best offensive rating. It speaks a lot about Maliksi's impact on the offense of the Bolts. 

You will never be amazed at what Ponferada does inside the court. But what I love about him is his consistency on both ends. Especially on doing the small things. Defensively, Jewel is consistent in his fundamentals in protecting the rim and dropping against pick-and-roll. On offense, his decision-making is consistently on point.

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