SYDMAN’S POWER RANKINGS (OCT 4 – 12, 2008)

WELCOME TO BIZAARO-WORLD!

For a week-old season, the Philippine Cup has played a lot of games. A mean, with games played in awkward dates (Thursday and Saturday to speed things up), I think we can expect the conference to finish before even establishing itself.

Nonetheless it has been a smoking start for the league. There a new faces, new look, and a new channel to keep ‘dem hoop-goers glued to their sets. First of all, let me bring you the…

SIDE DISH: TOP ROOKIES:
1. MERCADO (RoS): (see Power Rankings)
2. DILLINGER (TNT): (see Power Rankings)
3. NORWOOD (RoS): 8.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.5apg, 1.0spg, and 1.5bpg
4. CUSTODIO (SMB): 12.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.0apg and 1.0spg
5. RODRIGUEZ (RB): 10.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.0apg and 1.0bpg

If this keeps up, we could be seeing the most talented rookie batch since the ’93 Draft! Larry Rodriguez could be the draft’s biggest steal while Bonbon Custodio is the second leading scorer of a franchise that boasts a lot of big named players. The biggest surprise is the Rain Or Shine rookies where alongside TY Tang, are the major reasons why their team is at the top of the standings.

To the Power Rankings, you might seem to notice that most of the top guys are either down the standings or nonexistent altogether. This is because there are certain players debuting on the list. These players defied the odds and proved that they could become dangerous once they get out of the bench. Some are old-timers while others are young players that yearned for exposure. Of course, the top of the crop have the best of the league. So get ready for the first installment…

TEAM LEADERS (points, rebounds and assists per game)

ROS: PPG - MERCADO (20ppg); RPG - LAURE (7.5rpg); APG - MERCADO (4apg).
GIN: PPG - HELTERBRAND (23.5ppg); RPG - MENK (11rpg); APG - ARTADI (5apg).
ALA: PPG - DELA CRUZ/FERRIOLS (10.5ppg); RPG - MILLER (9rpg); APG - MILLER/TENORIO (5.5apg)
TNT: PPG - CARDONA (20.7ppg); RPG - CAREY (11.3rpg); APG - ALAPAG (4.3apg).
SLR: PPG - WILLIAMS (20.5ppg); RPG - WILLIAMS (12.5rpg); APG - ESPINO (6.5apg).
SMB: PPG - HONTIVEROS (13ppg); RPG - WASHINGTON (8rpg); APG - WASHINGTON/PINGRIS (5apg).
PUR: PPG - RAYMUNDO (21ppg); RPG - RAYMUNDO (11.5rpg); APG - RAYMUNDO (2.5apg).
RED: PPG - ESPINAS (14.5ppg); RPG - ESPINAS (10rpg); APG - BAGUIO (3.5apg).
COK: PPG - TAULAVA (17ppg); RPG - TAULAVA (11.5rpg); APG - CABAGNOT (5.5apg).
AIR: PPG - DE OCAMPO (17ppg); RPG - DE OCAMPO (11.7rpg); APG - ARBOLEDA (4.3apg).

If you think the leaders you see here are weird, then wait ’til you see the Power Rank!

GAME STARTS NOW!

25. RYAN ARANA – ELASTO PAINTERS
With his looks and playing style, he seems to be RoS’ Poorman’s version of James Yap. Unlike the Big Game though, he made the list. With the Painters’ surprising start, he has been getting stellar numbers with 16ppg, 3rpg, and 3apg a game.

24. JAY WASHINGTON – BEERMEN
He is the only player getting 30 minutes and the only player who made the list for SMB. While this was a drop from his last season, the newly-transferred forward checks in with 8.5ppg, 8rpg, 5apg, and 1.5spg.

23. JAY-R REYES – ELASTO PAINTERS
In his third season, the ex-UP Maroon has finally the support he longed for. Relegated to man the post with the comfort of kickout options, he is norming 15ppg, 6rpg, and 1.5bpg a game.

22. CYRUS BAGUIO – BARAKO
With their lack of known superstars, Sky-rus is getting the heat from other teams. The Bulls, currently winless, seriously needs his scoring more than ever. He is clawing his way to reach stat heaven though with 12.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.5apg, 2.0spg, and 1.5bpg.

21. PETER JUNE SIMON – GIANTS
With James Yap struggling in his first game, Pistol Pete carried the slack for him. During the blowout loss to SMB, Simon was the only one that wasn’t playing listless. A major contributor, he is getting 18.5ppg and 4.0rpg a night.

20. ARWIND SANTOS – EXPRESS
From an almost-MVP season, Spiderman chalked up dismal numbers to start the season. Actually he started the season with an elbow drop to Sol Mercado but he has since returned to deliver 14ppg, 7.5rpg, and 1.0bpg.

19. JARED DILLINGER – TROPANG TEXTERS
When the second pick plays well, his team wins and when he plays sour the same thing happens for their team. Clearly he is one of the cornerstones of their future with 16.3ppg and 5.7rpg in 3 games for the Texters.

18. WILLIE MILLER – ACES
Do not be deceived. After a low scoring game against the Tigers, Miller should be lucky that he even made the list. But to give him credit, while he only scored 3 points in that game, he ended the same game with 10 boards. In 2 games he owns 10 points, 9 rebounds and almost 6 assists in 2 games of action.

17. NELBERT OMOLON – REALTORS
A forgotten man in their debut, Omolon exploded for 24 points against Talk N Text in their second game. If there’s a player that could squeeze his way with limitless maneuvering, it had to be this guy. In two games he scored 16ppg, 5.5rpg, and 1.5spg.

16. NIC BELASCO – TIGERS
A legit threat inside the shaded area, what terrifies his foes is his ability to drain the trifectas. St. Nic is generous in dishing out pain to his opponents. Unfortunately enduring the worse scoring game of the Tigers since the PBA’s FIBA rule application hardly helped matters. He gets 13ppg and 9.5rpg a night.

15. JR QUINAHAN – EXPRESS
When given the playing time, he will erupt. This is why Baby Shaq has transformed into a force at Air21. Without an inside presence, he is reigning on a team cramming to get a win in 3 games. The UV Lancer is netting 10.3ppg, 9rpg, 2.7apg, and 2.0bpg.

14. EDDIE LAURE – ELASTO PAINTERS
Who thinks this is funny? If he was still under Tim Cone, maybe this is. However, he is now a Painter, and with a rejuvenation of sorts scored 20 points – the highest ever for the former MBA MVP in almost four years. In two games he has hit 13.0ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, and 1.0bpg.

13. JUNJUN CABATU – KINGS
Welcome to la-la land. Perhaps this is because all teams have played merely two games, but come on. This second generation star was another discard from last season’s Alaska roster that got signed because of the Gins’ lack of size. He was just what the doctor ordered… his career-high 23 markers proved big against Air21 and his 15.5ppg, 5.5rpg, and 2.5apg is making heads turn.

12. PAUL ARTADI – KINGS
We hate Jong Uichico for benching Sunday Salvacion. However, we love the coach for bring the A in Artadi’s game. After a great showing in the 2008 Fiesta Cup, his three’s have been a signal to roar for the Ginebra faithful. He currently leads the Kings in assists with 5.0apg to go with his 14.5ppg, 4.0rpg, and 1.5spg.

11. HARVEY CAREY – TROPANG TEXTERS
Continuing the saga of bizaaro-idols, Carey made the most out of Ali Peek’s absence to deliver the goods for TNT. If you saw his game against Air21, then you probably experienced his awesome 16-point, 20-rebound finish. As it stands he gives the Texters 10.7ppg, 11.3rpg, and 1.7bpg.

10. DENNIS ESPINO – REALTORS
The Menace almost had a triple-double against TNT. This happened by sheer accident though because the refs were too strict in giving him those post-up moves he usually does (blame the new dribble before pivot scheme). Nonetheless, the wily veteran is getting 12.0ppg, 8.5rpg, and 6.5apg a night.

9. GABBY ESPINAS – BARAKO
The biggest oddity in the rankings, Espinas bloomed as a Bull. It helped greatly when Cyrus Baguio got the pressure of being constantly hounded as the only player manning Red Bull’s offensive. In two games he has produced 14.5ppg, 10rpg, and 1.5bpg after debuting as a star only to languish at the sidelines.

8. MAC CARDONA – TROPANG TEXTERS
With the oddities out of the way, we proceed on the league’s elite. The DLSU star still shares time with Renren Ritualo but he gives the latter headache in getting the nod for Chot Reyes. An explosive scorer, the fourth year stars is claiming is the league’s third top scorer with 20.7 points to go with 5.0rpg and 3.0apg.

7. SOLOMON MERCADO – ELASTO PAINTERS
His entry to the team solved an important facet for the Rain Or Shine offense – their lack of backcourt scoring. Taken from Alaska in a blockbuster deal, the 2008 fifth pick produced 29 points in a gracious start for a team that hardly gave competition to the other ballclubs. In two games he soared with 20 points, 5 caroms, and 4 dimes.

6. ASI TAULAVA – TIGERS
He continues to be the main man for the resurging Tigers. Yes, given he made a costly mistake that handed TNT a victory, he is still the rebounder demigod of the league. Age is showing, but this is not making him a burden, not after claiming 17 points and 11.5 rebounds in two games for the softdrink franchise.

5. RYAN REYES – REALTORS
His ability to shoot the lights out makes him dangerous. But like critics see, his ability to be a defensive menace proves even greater. His solid contributions proved enough in yielding TNT their first loss in the tourney. He continues to create panic with his 15 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals a night.

4. JAYJAY HELTERBRAND – KINGS
Minus Mark Caguioa, Helterbrand is thrust to score a bucket-load of points. While he has yet to make damage in the passing department, he currently leads the league in points with 23.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.5apg and 1.5spg. While we could praise Cabatu and Artadi for making impact contributions with injuries to their big men, it is still Helterbrand that is making things right for the Gins in their 2-game win streak.

3. RANIDEL DE OCAMPO – EXPRESS
With Air21 messing up their season, De Ocampo is proving to be the team’s most consistent player. Leading the team in points, rebounds and blocks, the St. Francis alum is taking over with 17 points, 11.7rpg, 4.0 assists and 0.7 blocks. I am sure though that his teammates would make solid contributions in the course of the tourney.

2. KELLY WILLIAMS – REALTORS
The MVP. The force to be reckon with. The Realtors folded in a sorry loss against the Gins where he said he played the game tight. In the first half of the TNT game he lacked promise. But when the second half came he EXPLODED by scoring 21 of his 25 points to pull out a victorious battle for Sta. Lucia. Machine Gun Kelly is wielding in 20.5ppg, 12.5rpg, and 3.5apg so far.

1. KERBY RAYMUNDO – GIANTS
Finishing first on the list is the Kid. The major catalyst in their come-from-behind victory over Red Bull, the superstar slotman is not complaining at the attention he creates. Last season’s Mythical team member erupted with 21 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 blocks in two games for the Giants. Yes, we saw Purefoods getting mauled by SMB in their second game but expect that forgettable game to never happen again with him asserting his presence to dominate the low block.

If you think these calculations are not credible then you go to the PBA website, here are the steps of making sure I had it right.
Step 1: Add their points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks and average it.
Step 2: Total the five top statistical figures.
Step 3: Then minus the sum of the five stats with the quotient of the sum of the five stats with their playing time. Why? Because for example, James Yap, the guy that didn’t made the list gets 14.5ppg, 2rpg, and 1spg in 37.5 minutes per game. Simon plays 28.5 minutes a night but he gives the Giants more contributions than what Yap produces.

The win-loss records would factor in the next game.

Till then, SURF PORN!