2016-2017 Phil Cup - Crazy Predictions for Blackwater, Star, Alaska, San Miguel, Rain or Shine, Meralco
It is time to pump up the madness with my crazy predictions! This are the most extreme predictions that I can bet on for each squad.
BLACKWATER - Mac Belo will have a top 10 PER
Player Efficiency Rating sums up all a player's positive accomplishments, subtracts the negative accomplishments, and returns a per-minute rating of a player's performance. Last Phil. Cup, Fajardo, Slaughter, Manuel, Ramos, Taulava, Yee, Anthony, Abueva, Wilson and Castro were the top 10. Belo's style is built for PER.
MERALCO - Newsome will end up as the starting PG of the team
I can count on Baser Amer to continue to under-perform and push coach Norman Black to utilize Chris Newsome as their point guard more than last season. In the Governors' Cup, he at least played half of his playing time playing the one and he contributed 13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
RAIN OR SHINE - They will not survive the elimination round
Line-up wise, the Elasto Painters are a shoo-in playoff team. But, the shake-up in their roster will hit the chemistry that they have built in the last two seasons. And, what if James Yap will never return to his starting-caliber self and the management pressure the coaching staff to still give him 20 minutes of playing time?
SAN MIGUEL - Chris Lutz will be traded
I expect Rashawn McCarthy to be a reliable guard which will force SMB management to finally cut their ties with Lutz. Lutz' production has been on the downtrend after his rookie season and I think the only way for him to save his career is playing for another team.
ALASKA - Calvin Abueva will average 30+ minutes of playing time
Calvin's aggressiveness and coach Alex' minutes distribution were the main reason why Calvin has never received 30+ minutes playing time season average in his career. I believe this will finally the season that we will see that. Even with the arrival of Carl Bryan Cruz, Abueva is still their best bet in playing the 3 and the 4.
STAR - Ian Sangalang will have a breakout conference
I think a lot of the fans have forgotten about the potential of this #2 pick. Last season was his return from a season-ending injury and he underperformed because that was an adjustment period, mentally and physically. This season is a make-or-break year for him and I have faith in him that he will make it. Maybe, 16 points and 8 rebounds per game?
