The PBA Philippine Cup—the league’s premier conference—is about to unfold on Friday, April 4, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. As the hours tick away before this season-ending tourney, let’s rank the 12 PBA teams heading into Season 49’s last conference.
1. Meralco Bolts
Meralco gets the nod at no. 1 here since it’s the defending Philippine Cup champions and took Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to the limit last conference even with a hurting import. The Bolts have talent and depth with Chris Newsome (16.3 PPG last conference on 52.5% shooting) leading the way, followed by an improving Bong Quinto (12.7 PPG) and a rejuvenated Chris Banchero (11.6 PPG, 58% shooting). A return to health for Brandon Bates and possibly Allein Maliksi could be a difference-maker.
2. San Miguel Beermen
Sure, the Beermen struggled big time in the Commissioner’s Cup, but that’s in part due to their import struggles and in part due to the usual growing pains of integrating new key pieces. Even so, they still have the ultimate game-changer in June Mar Fajardo, who has made the Philippine Cup his personal stomping ground (six titles). He also averaged 15.4 points and 9.8 rebounds in an import-laced conference, and he still has more than enough high-caliber talent to go around.
3. TNT Tropang 5G
Not to diss the Tropang 5G (yes, it’s the champs’ new moniker), but they’re at a marked disadvantage without Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jayson Castro. That is unless they make a big move to get a high-impact player. That they’re no. 3 is a nod to the Tropa’s championship heart and elite defense. It’s also a vote of confidence to Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, and newly minted Finals MVP Rey Nambatac that they’ll raise their level of play even more as TNT goes for the Grand Slam.
4. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Ginebra’s star-studded lineup with Justin Brownlee couldn’t get the job done against a Castro-less TNT last conference. So, it’s fair to wonder how good the crowd darlings can be without their super import—especially after pretty much everyone choked in that epic Game 7. But the talent is there, and it’s undeniable. The question is can these talented players—Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Stephen Holt, and RJ Abarrientos—find the winning formula and live up to the never-say-die spirit?
5. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Yeng Guiao’s wards have been on an upward trajectory for the better part of two years but have had the misfortune of running into the brick wall that is TNT twice already. Even so, Rain or Shine’s young core is talented, dynamic, and fearless—and it just might have found its leading man in Adrian Nocum. The former Mapua Cardinal put up 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals on 53.5% shooting from the field (43.9% from distance) and looks ready for prime time.
6. Converge FiberXers
Converge has everything a team would want for: talent in every position, playmakers inside and out, shooters and post operators, and fearless role players. It emerged as a true dark horse last conference with new acquisition Jordan Heading (17.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.9 APG) and no. 1 overall pick Justine Balatazar (10.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG) joining holdovers like Alec Stockton (16.4 PPG, 6.1 APG) and Justin Arana (12.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG). The FiberXers still got humbled, but they have the weapons for redemption.
7. NorthPort Batang Pier
NorthPort had its best conference yet in the Commissioner’s Cup thanks to the prolific and explosive duo of Arvin Tolentino (24.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.9 APG) and Joshua Munzon (16.1 PPG, 4.1 APG). But the Batang Pier also benefited from having a superb import in Kadeem Jack. Now, in the Philippine Cup, it will all be up to Tolentino and Munzon—and William Navarro (13.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG)—to lead this young but talented NorthPort squad in this Philippine Cup.
8. Magnolia Hotshots
Chito Victolero’s Hotshots remain a tough out even with an aging core plagued by inconsistency. But with Zavier Lucero, Jerom Lastimosa, and Jerrick Ahanmisi, Magnolia has enough young, talented blood to potentially surprise fans in this Philippine Cup. Lucero and Lastimosa, in particular, look primed for bigger roles but will still need the veterans—Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, and Calvin Abueva, to be precise—to contribute more consistently if the Hotshots are to make some noise in the Philippine Cup.
9. NLEX Road Warriors
Very few players in the PBA can carry a team, and NLEX has one of them in Robert Bolick (23.5 PPG, 7.8 APG). Assuming he remains a Road Warrior, expect Berto to have the ball even more and shoulder an even more gargantuan load. There’ll be games where Bolick’s singular brilliance will suffice, but if NLEX wants to make the playoffs, other players need to step up. Kevin Alas is the most obvious choice.
10. Phoenix Fuel Masters
For Phoenix, it’s all about accelerating the growth of its young core—Tyler Tio and Ricci Rivero are both just 26, Kai Balunggay is only 23, and Ken Tuffin is 27. That means the veterans, RJ Jazul (38), RR Garcia (35), and Jason Perkins (32), will need to step and while guiding the Fuel Masters’ young guns. It won’t be an easy task, but it could go a long ways in turning Phoenix into at least a playoff team in the Philippine Cup.
11. Blackwater Bossing
All things considered—the lack of talent, in particular—Jeff Cariaso has done a commendable job at Blackwater. He’ll have his hands full again this Philippine Cup, though the possible return of Sedrick Barefield, who missed all but 4 of the Bossing’s 12 games in the Commissioner’s Cup, could surely help. The electrifying Fil-Am averaged 20.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists last conference.
12. Terrafirma Dyip
The bar is so low for Terrafirma right now that two wins would be an achievement already. Perhaps Mark Nonoy can make that happen. Maybe Kevin Ferrer can go on a hot streak or Stanly Pringle can have a vintage conference.
The PBA Philippine Cup Begins
Season 49’s Philippine Cup will begin on Friday, April 4, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Phoenix and Terrafirma open hostilities at 5:00 p.m., followed by Converge and Meralco at 7:30 p.m.
