Preseason Power Ranking 1.0: After a lot of trades!
The draft is over, the trading has begun. Let us stack up the teams with their current roster and coaching staff in their way to competing for the Philippine Cup crown!
#12 MAHINDRA FLOODBUSTERS
If you have an imbalance roster with a lot of young and unproven players, don't bet on them in doing anything good. Especially if the franchise is in financial struggle.
#11 PHOENIX FUEL MASTERS
Their frontline will be pretty week unless they will invest heavily on playing Wright and Intal in the 4. For that to work, a good defensive scheme should be implemented and I don't think coach Ariel has proven himself as a good defensive coach, yet.
#10 GLOBALPORT BATANG PIER
Offensively, Globalport can easily be a top two team. The problem lies heavily on their defense. JR Quinahan is a great acquisition but he needs a good system to maximize his defensive potential. And their coaching staff? Who is their coach again?
#9 BLACKWATER ELITE
I was not a big fan of the Lastimosa trade but with Mac Belo and Ael Banal, this team will be a much better squad. I like the fact that they have different kind of players and with a year under their pocket, we should see improvement from Art Dela Cruz and Roi Sumang.
#8 RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS
I want to see first how coach Caloy will run this team before I become optimistic about them. Will he copy the minutes distribution of coach Yeng? Will he continue to use almost all his bigs as stretch-guys?
#7 MERALCO BOLTS
Meralco was phenomenal in the two reinforce-conferences but they haven't proven themselves in the All-Filipino Cup. One thing is for sure though, Baser Amer or Ed Daquioag should step up to fill the hole that Jimmy Alapag left.
#6 STAR HOTSHOTS
With the RR Garcia and Alex Mallari trade, Star has a much balance roster now. Their center position could be a weakness but with good coaching and rotation, it could be a weapon. Coach Victolero hasn't proven anything yet so let us see.
#5 NLEX ROAD WARRIORS
Coach Yeng Guiao has been searching for a giant of his own in the past few years and now he has The Rock at his disposal. I am quite excited to see how coach Yeng will use him. The guard and frontline rotation of NLEX is pretty deep. The work will be on their wing rotation.
#4 ALASKA ACES
I am quite indecisive with the Aces. Sonny Thoss will keep on getting older and I don't think they can survive a big regression by the Boss this season. Calvin Abueva, Chris Banchero and Vic Manuel can still reach higher gears this season that could propel this team into a championship.
#3 SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN
Can coach Leo Austria continue to keep this team together with the acquisition of another star-caliber player? Ego management is very important in a super-loaded squad like the Beermen and I am starting to doubt if coach Leo can do it.
#2 TNT TROPANG TEXTERS
Coach Nash Racela has made his living as a great defensive coach and with a roster that has Ryan Reyes, Matthew Ganuelas-Rosser, Ranidel de Ocampo and Troy Rosario, I expect him to thrive in the PBA.
#1 BRGY. GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL
Coach Tim Cone knows what he has in his team. It seems like Greg Slaughter will not available for at least the elimination round of the Philippine Cup but Japeth Aguilar will still be there and a 6'11 Jericho de Guzman will be available for them. The athletic Chris Ellis will also return and the addition of Kevin Ferrer is vital because of his outside shooting.
