The PBA Commissioner’s Cup is heating up, and last week’s top two teams are still leading the pack. But there was plenty of movement in spots 3 through 10. So, without further ado, here are Rebanse’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup Power Rankings for December 16–22.
1. Northport Batang Pier (6-1) ◀️▶️
The Batang Pier responded well to their first loss of the season—a 115-109 decision to the Phoenix Fuel Masters—with a huge win over Hong Kong Eastern. That’s gotta be a good sign for a young team, whose calling card so far has been individual talent coalescing into one fighting unit. Arvin Tolentino is the head of the tribe so to speak, but Joshua Munzon, Evan Nelle, William Navarro, and Fran Yu are all stepping up. Import Kadeem Jack has been the bow that ties all this talent up together.
2. Hong Kong Eastern (6-2) ◀️▶️
Eastern’s uncanny ball movement (resulting in 24.2 assists per game, third in the league) has been fun to watch, and their three-point sniping has been on point (40.4% through eight games). But the Hong Kong-based squad has quietly been one of the best defensive units in the PBA, surrendering just 94 points and holding three teams under 90 points so far. Wins against the San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel prove this guest team is here to win it all.
3. Converge FiberXers (5-2) ⏫
An uneven start to the conference has now given way to a three-game winning streak as the FiberXers are seemingly finding their groove. Between Alec Stockton and Jordan Heading, Converge has two dynamic, creative playmakers who can carry the offense. Everyone else is starting to find their mark as well. That second-half storm they whipped up on Ginebra is a clear demonstration of that talent and what this team can do when clicking on all cylinders.
4. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-1) ⏫
A run-and-gun style and balanced scoring have been hallmarks of every Yeng Guiao squad, and the same is true with this current Rain or Shine iteration. The Elasto Painters are playing fast and furious and once again scoring in bunches (108.6 points per game). Leonard Santillan (14.5 points per game), missing in action at the tail-end of the last conference, is contributing consistently again, leading six players norming double-digits.
5. Meralco Bolts (3-1) ⏬
Import woes and a heavy schedule (juggling EASL duties with the PBA slate) have not deterred the Bolts, and that’s thanks mostly to Chris Newsome carrying the load. The Gilas stalwart is averaging 21.3 points and 4.8 dimes a game this conference as he has taken on a bigger playmaking role—particularly in the two games Meralco played without an import. Bong Quinto has been rock-solid as usual for the Bolts, who could use some good fortune with their import problems.
6. San Miguel Beermen (3-3) ⏬
Looks like the Leo Austria blueprint is to unleash June Mar Fajardo—just like he did when he was winning titles for the Beermen in his heyday. It seems to be working wonders even as San Miguel faltered against a very good Eastern squad. A Kraken-centric attack, though, isn’t such a bad idea and will likely help the Beermen moving forward, especially if they find the right import.
7. TNT Tropang Giga (2-2) ⏫
A second straight win—a 109-93 trouncing of the Blackwater Bossing—and the return of Jayson Castro (16 points vs. Blackwater) have the Tropa back in it after a rough start. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is still doing everything for TNT and he is getting guys back to help him, literally and figuratively. It might be just a matter of time before the champs tighten the screws on D again and make a run.
8. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (3-2) ⏬
Things are looking bleak for the crowd darlings, having been humbled by the up-and-coming FiberXers and seeing key cogs Stephen Holt and Japeth Aguilar both suffer injuries (left knee bone bruise for Holt, pulled groin for Aguilar). With the injury woes piling up, Ginebra will likely have to rely more again on Justin Brownlee just to survive this early adversity.
9. NLEX Road Warriors (3-4)⏬
The Mike Watkins-Robert Bolick duo is no doubt a handful, especially when Richie Rodger, Anthony Semerad, and the rest of the Road Warriors are hitting just enough threes. But teams are catching on and starting to clamp down on this high-powered two-man game. This means NLEX will need secondary creators if they are to break out from their three-game skid.
10. Magnolia Hotshots (2-4) ⏫
Hard-luck Magnolia continues to be competitive but predictable because it continues to run the offense through inside operators like Ricardo Ratliffe and Ian Sangalang. It works to a certain degree, as the Hotshots have largely kept games close. Trouble comes when they have to finish off games—something they have struggled with so far.
11. Phoenix Fuel Masters (1-5) ⏫
Phoenix’s 115-109 triumph over erstwhile leader NorthPort is proof the Fuel Masters can play a complete game. They just cannot seem to do it consistently enough.
12. Blackwater Bossing (1-5)⏬
Hard to win when only two players—George King and Sedrick Barefield—are doing damage. These two dynamic scorers score a combined 59 points a game, but the others aren’t providing nearly enough help.
13. Terrafirma Dyip (0-7) ◀️▶️
Again, the Dyip are trying. Vic Manuel’s resurgence is at least a feel-good story.
