Author: Martin Dale D. Bolima
Photo credit: PBA
At this point, expect the stars to play their best as their teams are a step closer to the finals and eight wins away from the PBA Governors’ Cup title. But they will need plenty of help from other players—the X-factors as they are called. The four players on this list, in particular, can potentially swing the series in favor of their respective teams if they contribute what is expected of them.
Gabe Norwood – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Quarterfinals average: 1.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists
The ageless Elasto Painter will be tasked to slow down the prolific Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (32.3 points per game, 13.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists in the quarterfinals). This might not be Prime Gabe, but he is still Rain or Shine’s best shot at slowing down the reigning PBA Governors’ Cup Best Import. It is on offense where he needs to figure things out. Against the Magnolia Hotshots, the veteran was virtually non-existent on that end, going 2-for-11 in four games—and that won’t cut it against a suddenly elite defensive team like TNT. Put simply, he cannot be a liability on offense; otherwise, he won’t be able to impact the game on defense.
Rey Nambatac – TNT Tropang Giga
Quarterfinals average: 14. 5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists (20-for-37 FGM/FGA)
RHJ will get points regardless. Jason Castro, RR Pogoy, and Calvin Oftana are grizzled veterans who know what to do. That leaves Nambatac as the wildcard. An efficient Nambatac, as he was against the NLEX Road Warriors in the quarters, gives TNT another floor spacer and playmaker who can help expose what appears to be a porous Rain or Shine defense that got exposed by Magnolia. And given Yeng Guiao’s guard-heavy rotation and exhausting high-octane style, expect Nambatac’s minutes—and on-court responsibilities—to go up. Nambatac might also be fired up as he once called Rain or Shine home.
Joe Devance – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Quarterfinals average: 1.3 points, 1.0 rebound, 0.3 assist
The 42-year-old Devance acquitted himself well in the quarters against the Meralco Bolts, playing more and more as the series progressed and playing largely mistake-free hoops. He will need to ramp up his conditioning real fast in the semis as Ginebra will probably need more minutes for him—only this time, the challenge will be bigger: Defend eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo. Of course, JDV is not putting the clamps on JMF, but he will be counted on to at least make Fajardo work for his points, especially given Ginebra’s thin frontline. It is an unenviable task, indeed.
Kris Rosales – San Miguel Beermen
Quarterfinals average: 7.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists (10-for-20 3PFGM/3PGA)
Rosales has been a pleasant surprise for San Miguel in the quarterfinals with his solid two-way play. More of the same will be expected from the veteran sniper, especially given the guard-heavy Ginebra attack and the uneven play of Chris Ross, Cjay Perez, and Terrence Romeo. Rosales’ shooting is particularly valuable given the Beermen’s suddenly cramped spacing due to Fajardo and import EJ Anosike playing primarily in the paint. If Rosales proves steady from downtown, he will help unlock that potentially explosive San Miguel offense.
The PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals will start on Wednesday, October 9, and will be best-of-seven affairs.
