Action in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup is heating up, and with the league starting its fourth week, we might soon start to see the contenders separating themselves from the pretenders. But, at the moment, everyone is still in contention for the playoffs, so we took a moment to think of one reason your favorite team will win the title and one reason it won’t.
Here is our list:
TNT Tropang Giga
Why it will win the championship: Defense—What else? The Tropa is far and away the best defensive team in the PBA when they’re locked in.
Why it won’t: Championship hangover, probably.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Why it will win the championship: Reinforcements—Jamie Malonzo, Jeremiah Gray, and Isaac Go—are coming this January, according to Tim Cone.
Why it won’t: Justin Brownlee’s inevitable decline will one day come.
San Miguel Beermen
Why it will win the championship: Leo Austria is back, baby!
Why it won’t: Import problem—what else?
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Why it will win the championship: The offense gets hot—red hot.
Why it won’t: The threes don’t fall.
Magnolia Hotshots
Why it will win the championship: Paul Lee and Mark Barocca find the fountain of youth.
Why it won’t: Chito Victolero sticks to the aging Lee and Barroca.
Converge FiberXers
Why it will win the championship: Talent in every position. Outside San Miguel and Ginebra, Converge might be the most stacked team in the league.
Why it won’t: Growing pains, most likely, for a future contender.
NorthPort Batang Pier
Why it will win the championship: The young guns—Arvin Tolentino, Joshua Munzon, William Navarro, Cade Flores, and Evan Nelle—all make the leap.
Why it won’t: Youth, probably.
Hong Kong Eastern
Why it will win the championship: Eastern’s disciplined, precise style makes them a tough out.
Why it won’t: Imports are great, but Eastern has no go-to-guy.
Meralco Bolts
Why it will win the championship: The Bolts get the gang back healthy again.
Why it won’t: Meralco’s import woes continue.
NLEX Road Warriors
Why it will win the championship: Mike Watkins and Robert Bolick figure out how to be an unstoppable inside-out combo.
Why it won’t: Robert Bolick goes cold again.
Phoenix Fuel Masters
Why it will win the championship: The Fuel Masters learn to close out games.
Why it won’t: They keep blowing leads.
Blackwater Bossing
Why it will win the championship: Rey Suerte brings in the good luck.
Why it won’t: George King shoots the Bossing out of every game.
Terrafirma Dyip
Why it will win the championship: Seriously? Only if Boss Al says so.
Why it won’t: Because they’re Terrafirma!
