The PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals are just days away, with the top-seeded NorthPort Batang Pier set to take on third-seeded Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and second seeded TNT Tropang Giga colliding with seventh-seeded Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. We break down the two brackets starting with NorthPort vs. Ginebra.
1. Can Ginebra slow down NorthPort’s high-octane offense?
NorthPort’s ascent to the top of the standings is largely because they put up points on the board. Through 13 games so far this conference, the Batang Pier has averaged a league-leading 109.9 points on an absurd 54.7% clip from the field. This high-octane production more than makes up for the 105.8 points NorthPort surrenders every game.
It also means this NorthPort vs. Ginebra semis pairing akin to an offense vs. defense matchup, with Ginebra holding opponents to 91.5 points a game. But as Ginebra found out in its loss to NorthPort in the elims, containing the Batang Pier is easier said than done after surrendering 119 to Arvin Tolentino and company. But the crowd darlings must slow down the top seed if they want a chance.
2. Does Justin Brownlee have anymore gas in the tank?
Brownlee has been playing nonstop ball for over a year now—including five ganes for Gilas in a span of just 10 days. That’s not exactly a good thing for a 36-year-old turning 37 who’s asked to carry a big burden every game for Ginebra. He will have to do as much in this NorthPort vs. Ginebra duel. Unfortunately, the wear and tear seems to be showing as JB is shooting just 32.6% from downtown, his lowest mark in the PBA by far. His 25.1 points is also his lowest.
Then again, JB is still JB. He has come up big numerous times for Ginebra that it wouldn’t be a surprise if he raises his game once more with a finals berth at stake. Still, it’s fair to wonder if Brownlee at 36 still has some gas left after an exhausting past few months.
3. Will Scottie Thompson step up?
His Gilas struggles notwithstanding, Thompson is a game-changer for Ginebra when he’s aggressive and looking at the basket. The Meralco Bolts know this all too well as Iskati was the difference-maker in the two series Ginebra won against Meralco this season—each time netting 20-plus points to go along his usual all-around brilliance.
Thompson this conference is averaging 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.7 steals. Those are impressive numbers no doubt. But he will need to look to score more, especially if either of Evan Nelle or Fran Yu is guarding him, to relieve the playmaking duties off of Brownlee. Being aggressive will also allow him to create more good looks for his teammates.
4. Is this Arvin Tolentino’s superstar-making series?
Tolentino has emerged as something of a super scorer since coming to NorthPort, and this conference isn’t any different as he leads the league with 23.2 points per game. He is also shooting an absurd 58.5% from the field and 80% from the charity stripe.
But Tolentino isn’t a superstar just yet. He still needs to win to earn that lofty status. What better way to get to that level than by torching his former team and the coach who traded him, right? Tim Cone had previously said he saw Tolentino as potentially Ginebra’s local Brownlee; now, he gets the chance to be that in this NorthPort vs. Ginebra showdown.
5. Will experience be a factor in NorthPort vs. Ginebra?
Aside from NorthPort vs. Ginebra being an offense vs. defense matchup, it will likely be a youth against experience showdown. Youth is on the side of the Batang Pier, with many of their key guys aged 30 and below. Experience, meanwhile, favors Ginebra, with its championship core of Thompson, Brownlee, Japeth Aguilar, and Jamie Malonzo still intact.
Being young has its advantages—fresher legs, more stamina, freer spirits. But experience is just as invaluable, especially in the playoffs where games tend to be won in the trenches and down the wire. This NorthPort vs. Ginebra showdown might boil down to whether experience can trump youth or if youth can prevail over experience.
Game 1 of NorthPort vs. Ginebra is on Wednesday, February 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
