2017 Phil. Cup Power Ranking 3.0: Impressive and Disappointing
(c) PBA Media Bureau
Two weeks into the season and we only have a single team with 0 loss.
#12 MAHINDRA FLOODBUSTERS (Last Week #12)Alex Mallari has finally taken the role of the main man in their game against Phoenix. He tallied 19 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. As of now, the best thing to do for the Floodbusters is to find a bright spot for every game.
#11 STAR HOTSHOTS (Last Week #10)We all raved about their super-loaded backcourt in the offseason but in their game against the Batang Pier, their top two scorers were Pingris and Ramos. Lee and Barroca really needed to wake up from their sleep and turn their offense into something.
Phoenix has two excellent wins this week. They controlled the powerhouse Beermen from start to finish with their discipline defense and sniping-craze. I just can't push my self to put them over the teams in front of them yet but their 14 three-pointers per game is truly amazing. Let us see how they perform against the Star.
#10 PHOENIX FUEL MASTERS (Last Week #11)
#9 BLACKWATER ELITE (Last Week #8)Even in a defeat, Blackwater still look like a formidable team. Mac Belo continue his streak of leading the team in scoring with his 21 points and he also added 9 boards. The Elite still has so many flaws like their league-worst rebounds per game. Their game against Rain or Shine in Friday will be a great gauge.
#8 NLEX ROAD WARRIORS (Last Week #5)I don't think coach Yeng is really looking to contend this conference. He is still taking down notes about his team and that could cause them some games in the elimination round that will make it hard for them to advance in the playoffs.
#7 MERALCO BOLTS (Last Week #7)Even just for one game of excellence, I am already an optimist about the Grey-Daquioag-Newsome trio. Daquioag and Newsome erupted for a total of 50 points in 20/30 shooting in their game against NLEX. I was mesmerized by the precision and easiness of their fastbreak completions. Meralco better play faster to exploit their athletic frontcourt and to mask their hole in the middle.
#6 GLOBALPORT BATANG PIER (Last Week #9)Globalport could just be lucky for facing the two worst team so far and coming out with two impressive showings. Nevertheless, their defense is still pretty legit after limiting their opponent to 79.5 per game. Their game against Alaska this Wednesday will be the real test.
#5 RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS (Last Week #6)The Rain or Shine-Ginebra game was the match-up of the on-ball action against the motion offense. I saw a lot of positives for the Elasto Painters, especially in their defense. Rain or Shine has given up a total of 13 three-pointers in their first three games! They are also limiting their opponent into the third worst FG%.
#4 BRGY. GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL (Last Week #4)I did not like what I saw in their first two games. I think, their offense is missing some identity. They are not effective in transition and in their triangle-base plays. Fortunately, they can still rely on their defense to win them games, just like against the Elasto Painters. Japeth may need to sustain 20 points production for them to win.
#3 ALASKA ACES (Last Week #3)Alaska better hope that the two losses that the injuries dealt to them will not be enough to push them out of the top 6. Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel and Chris Exciminiano will be back in their next game this Wednesday.
#2 TNT TROPANG TEXTERS (Last Week #2)TNT will not be the easiest match-up for any team because they have embraced the versatility of their roster. Rosario has been playing minutes in the 3 and Rosser is starting as their PG. That length will give ample of headaches to their opponent and their depth is also being maximize now.
#1 SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN (Last Week #1)Don't read too much in their loss against the Fuel Masters and their struggle against Alaska. It is normal for powerhouse teams to get overconfident and get out of rhythm early into the season but look for them to start dominating soon.
