The PBA Governors’ Cup is here, and with it comes a fresh set of storylines, breakout candidates, and stars looking to cement their place in the league’s hierarchy. Every team has at least one player whose performance could swing their fortunes—whether it’s a proven veteran carrying championship expectations, a rising talent eager to seize a bigger role, or a newcomer aiming to make an immediate impact.
From RJ Abarrientos leading Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fresh off his Best Player of the Conference award to Jordan Heading looking to build on his strong Finals showing for TNT Tropang 5G, these are the players to keep an eye on as the Governors’ Cup unfolds.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – RJ Abarrientos
Abarrientos is coming off arguably the best tournament of his career, putting up 20.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists en route to winning his first-ever Best Player of the Conference award and first PBA championship. He’ll have to deliver an encore in the Governors’ Cup with Scottie Thompson set to miss a few games early, and Justin Brownlee’s injury situation fluid at the moment.
Blackwater Bossing – Sedrick Barefield
Barefield was sensational as well last conference, averaging a career-best 21.1 points to go along with 3.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists. In this PBA Governors’ Cup, look for the shifty Fil-Am to take on an even bigger role for Blackwater as Pat Aquino wants him to assume main man duties full time.
Converge FiberXers – Juan Gomez de Liaño
Believe it or not, JGDL’s 15.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists stat line last conference was ho-hum. That’s because he put up 19.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in the Philippine Cup. But injuries and a reduced role slowed down the presumptive Rookie of the Year in the Commissioner’s Cup. Expect a big bounce back from him in this PBA Governors’ Cup.
Macau Giant Pandas – Kobey Lam
PBA fans should know Lam, who was one of the best players of the Bay Area Dragons when they nearly won the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title a couple of years ago as a guest team. He’s gotten better since and will join a Macau squad in need of top-tier talent after a forgettable stint last conference.
Magnolia Hotshots – Jerom Lastimosa
Lastimosa’s last game in the Commissioner’s Cup saw him nearly will the Hotshots to a semis berth with a scintillating late-game takeover. Magnolia coach LA Tenorio is starting to hand Lastimosa the keys to the kingdom, and that’s terrific news for someone who averaged 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 47.8% shooting overall. A superstar breakout might be in the offing come this PBA Governors’ Cup.
Meralco Bolts – Jason Brickman
Nothing about Brickman’s 7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists scream superstar. But the veteran internationalist gives Meralco a pure point guard unlike anything the PBA has seen in recent years. With one conference under his belt, expect Brickman to be better at running the Bolts’ offense starting in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
NLEX Road Warriors – Evan Nelle
New coach Jimmy Alapag’s first move was curiously to trade for another point guard in Evan Nelle even with Robert Bolick, Ljay Gonzales, and Kevin Alas all on the roster. But the former La Salle Green Archer is somewhat of an Alapag protégé, and he’ll surely get opportunities even in that loaded backcourt.
Phoenix Fuel Masters – Ricci Rivero
Rivero is dealing with some back issues at the moment, but his superstar turn last conference is undeniable. In his first tournament under Charles Tiu, Rivero normed 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals and looked every bit a superstar-in-waiting. If he gets those back problems sorted out, he can expect an even bigger role for him when the PBA Governors’ Cup rolls along.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Adrian Nocum
Nocum, like Rivero, has broken out this season so far. In the Commissioner’s Cup, the Tondo-bred hooper tallied per-game averages of 15.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. But it was his fearless showing against Ginebra in the semis that should excite PBA and Rain or Shine fans alike because it suggests a high-flyer ready to truly soar higher.
San Miguel Beermen – Jerrick Ahanmisi
Ahanmisi, who normed 21.3 points per game, was the leading scorer of the Commissioner’s Cup playing for the Terrafirma Dyip. More importantly, he showed that sweet jumper of his translates even with high volume. Now, Ahanmisi gets to play alongside a legit post threat in June Mar Fajardo, which means he’ll get a lot of open looks. Can he be the sniper the Beermen need?
Terrafirma Dyip – Geo Chiu
With Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez—Terrafirma’s two leading scorers last conference—traded to San Miguel, expect Chiu to get more of a starring role, likely as a pick-and-roll dance partner of the returning Juami Tiongson. If anything, Chiu is worth keeping an eye on to see if he improves in his second conference in the PBA.
Titan Ultra Giant Risers – Joshua Munzon
Munzon was in trade rumors the entire offseason, and yet he’s staying with Titan Ultra for now. With a roster lacking in both talent and star quality, Munzon remains the only player worth keeping tabs on in this squad. Particularly interesting to follow is whether the first overall pick of the 2020 PBA Draft has improved on his shot selection and decision-making.
TNT Tropang 5G – Jordan Heading
Heading started slow in the Commissioner’s Cup but picked up his game as the tournament went on. And when he did get going, he proved to be one of the league’s best, emerging as arguably TNT’s second-best player at times behind RR Pogoy. His closeout of Meralco in the semis was particularly impressive, as was his seven-game series against Ginebra in the Finals.
PBA Governors’ Cup Tips Off
The PBA Governors’ Cup tips off on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The Terrafirma Dyip and Titan Ultra Giant Risers open hostilities in the first game, followed by the NLEX Road Warriors taking on the Macau Giant Pandas.
