The PBA Commissioner’s Cup returned on Sunday, with the league’s first twin bill for 2025 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. That double-header was enough to cause some seismic shifts in Rebanse’s weekly Power Rankings. Here’s our first one for this year, covering the week from December 31, 2024 thru January 5, 2025.
1. Northport Batang Pier (6-1) ◀️▶️
Northport welcomes 2025 as the no. 1 team in Rebanse’s Power Rankings. With a young, talented core led by Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon putting up the PBA’s best offense (110.4 PPG), the Batang Pier is looking like a standout with legit playoff aspirations.
2. Converge FiberXers (6-2) ◀️▶️
A near-perfect balance of offense (105.3 PPG, third-best) and defense (98.0 OPPG) has the FiberXers zooming to no. 2 to ring in the new year. With Jordan Heading playing like a seasoned vet and Justine Baltazar seemingly hitting his stride in Converge’s last game, this team is one to watch.
3. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-1) ⏫
Run-and-gun Rain or Shine is running and gunning this conference. Leonard Santillan’s reemergence and an in-form Adrian Nocum are doing wonders, with import Deon Thompson providing that steady big-man presence.
4. Hong Kong Eastern (6-3) ⏬
Two losses in three games—the last one to the Meralco Bolts on Sunday—have brought Eastern a dose of reality. The defense showed out against the Bolts, but the offense sputtered as the guests could only muster 83.
5. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (5-2) ⏫
The crowd darlings welcomed 2025 with a rather dominant victory over San Miguel even with import Justin Brownlee playing less than 100%. With Stephen Holt and Japeth Aguilar looking fit again and Jamie Malonzo on the cusp of returning, Ginebra might be poised to make its vaunted late-tournament run.
6. Meralco Bolts (4-2) ⏫
The Bolts might be back in business with Akil Mitchell looking right again versus Eastern. Just as important, Meralco showed its fangs on defense—and indication that maybe Luigi Trillo’s wards are buckling down to work.
7. TNT Tropang Giga (2-2) ⏬
The long holiday break ought to do wonders for the banged up Tropa. A return to their defensive dominance could be imminent if that’s the case.
8. NLEX Road Warriors (3-4) ⏫
NLEX still has one of the better, more prolific combos in the league in Robert Bolick and Mike Watkins. Getting those guys enough support is the priority now.
9. San Miguel Beermen (3-4) ⏬
San Miguel needs answers—fast. Jabari Narcis is looking out of his element in the PBA, and the locals continue to be inconsistent.
10. Magnolia Hotshots (2-5) ◀️▶️
The vets couldn’t get the job done in 2024. Might be time to give the young guns their shot in 2025.
11. Phoenix Fuel Masters (1-5) ◀️▶️
Again, there’s talent here. It’s just about translating that talent into a winning culture.
12. Blackwater Bossing (1-5) ◀️▶️
Something drastic needs to change for this team.
13. Terrafirma Dyip (0-7) ◀️▶️
Ditto.
