Every series in the playoffs is almost always guaranteed to be defined by a couple of players. These players could get hot, pose matchup problems, or be the so-called magic bunot. The same will likely happen in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals, with a few players stepping up to change the course of each series. Among these players could be Andrei Caracut of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and CJ Cansino of the Meralco Bolts.
Andrei Caracut (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
Caracut delivered a masterclass—29 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists—to help Rain or Shine stun the San Miguel Beermen in the quarterfinals. He also went 10-for-17 overall and 6-for-12 from deep. Now, Caracut probably isn’t dropping that stat line game after game against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, but he can certainly still be a game-changer by pushing the pace, staying aggressive, and pressuring the ball—the same things he also did against San Miguel. Rain or Shine has struggled at the point of attack since losing Felix Lemetti to an ACL injury, and that’s where Caracut could help the most.
RJ Abarrientos (Barangay Ginebra San Miguel)
Season 49’s Rookie of the Year has elevated his game in Season 50, and it appears he’s been fully unleashed as he’s the leading local scorer of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. That scoring is crucial to Ginebra’s success, and the super sophomore will need to be at his most prolific best against Rain or Shine. Equally important is his quarterbacking. Ginebra would want to keep the pace slower and more deliberate, and Abarrientos will be tasked to make sure the Gin Kings don’t play the Rain or Shine way.
CJ Cansino (Meralco Bolts)
Cansino’s last playoff game against the TNT Tropang 5G was a masterpiece that went for naught because of a late-game turnover. But the young guard showed he could carry a heavy load for the Bolts against an elite team like TNT. With the Tropa rounding into championship form, Meralco needs Cansino to reprise that main scorer role and be consistent with it if they are to have a chance at getting past the defending champs. Otherwise, it’s hard to fathom the Bolts generating enough offense.
RR Pogoy (TNT Tropang 5G)
No less than Chot Reyes underscored Pogoy’s importance to TNT, pointing out earlier that the veteran’s return was key in unlocking the Tropa’s best lineup against the NLEX Road Warriors. Hard to argue with that because Pogoy brings a two-way versatility that no other ka-Tropa brings: size at his position, scoring chops, and defensive prowess. He proved as much against NLEX with back-to-back double-digit games—all while making life a living hell for erstwhile Best Player of the Conference leader Robert Bolick. Look for Pogoy to alternately shadow Cansino and Chris Newsome, and also take them at the post on offense.
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Semis
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal round starts later today at the Ynares Center. TNT and Meralco will kick off hostilities at 5:15 p.m., to be followed by Ginebra and Rain or Shine at 7:30 p.m. Games will be held on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Expect Caracut, Abarrientos, Pogoy, and Cansino to figure prominently all series long for both matchups.
