Sydman’s Power Rankings Xmas Special (COMPLETE SET)

Welcome to the Power Rankings Xmas Special

Why is this a… gasp… Special??? (I’m making this a proper noun as you can see)

Kasi matagal na akong hindi nakakagawa dahil pinulbos ako ng trabaho! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Uhurm.

Off we go!

This being the season of giving, here are the superstars that almost made the list.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:

35. RONALD TUBID – KINGS
34. BONBON CUSTODIO – BEERMEN
33. JASON CASTRO – TROPANG TEXTERS
32. WYNNE AROBLEDA – EXPRESS
31. CYRUS BAGUIO – BARAKOS
30. NELBERT OMOLON – REALTORS
29. DONDON HONTIVEROS – BEERMEN
28. JIMMY ALAPAG – TROPANG TEXTERS
27. GABBY ESPINAS – BARAKOS
26. MARK TELAN – TIGERS

POWER RANKINGS FACT SHEET:

25. JARED DILLINGER – TROPANG TEXTERS
While inconsistent, the second overall pick in the 2008 Draft is one reason why Chot Reyes is relying less on Renren Ritualo.

24. ALEX CABAGNOT – TIGERS
Injury has plagued him throughout the conference but the current passing king needs to step up big time in order for the Tigers to at least survive the Wildcard phase.

23. DORIAN PENA – BEERMEN
He is not a big name performer, but he surely has the game to surmount the critics. An indication of this was an almost 20-20 game he had in a losing effort against the Kings last December 20.

22. JOSEPH YEO – REALTORS
He is Boyet Fernandez’ most trusted performer that comes off the bench. Ryan Reyes can safely rest his injury… that needs to get healed before the quarterfinals start.

21. DENNIS ESPINO – REALTORS
Yes, the Menace is old. And yeah, his numbers are not as high as it was five years ago. But you have to agree that this former top pick still has the spunk to lead his team to another title run.

20. HARVEY CAREY – TROPANG TEXTERS
Carey has withstood the minute-eating monster called Ali Peek. However, he has yet to prove himself worthy of taking out new TNT frontliner Ranidel de Ocampo. Let see what happens.

19. SONNY THOSS – ACES
The Fil-foreigner had his share of ups and downs with the Aces but the premier big man of Alaska is seriously gaining spurts as the heir apparent of Pch Juinio in Tim Cone’s grand slam deux.

18. LA TENORIO – ACES
If Thoss is Juinio, then Tenorio is the next Johnny A after the Mike Cortez experiment has been thrown out the window. The chief playmaker needs to command his presence though as he is seen more of Miller shadow (which is ironic). It’s like he’s the vice president of the Philippines…

17. SOLOMON MERCADO – ELASTO PAINTERS
It’s a shame that the touted Caguioa/Helterbrand vs Mercado/Norwood will not happen this Christmas Day. However, what’s happening is RoS first postseason play which was ignited partly because of his accomplishments.

16. NIC BELASCO – TIGERS
As one of the elder statesmen of a collection of discards and raw players with potential, St. Nic is hungry to amass some kind of last ditch attack for gold. Unfortunately getting out of the sidelines is a problem for this hurting forward.

15. JOE DEVANCE – ACES
The trade that shipped this ex-top pick to the Aces had to endure baby steps before it evolved into something special. While you can ask for more rebounds from JDV, whenever he erupts, the Aces gain dividends.

14. GARY DAVID – EXPRESS
He has pure energy but what about his teammates? Leading the scoring for the Express has been something that has been in his system for several years now but with the downgrade of their frontline, can his scoring cope?

13. ENRICO VILLANUEVA – GIANTS
The Dominator is a monster rebounder that is part of Purefoods’ awesome threesome that mostly take the minutes load in the Giants’ rotation. Unfortunately even his Red Bull/Ateneo core couldn’t stop the bleeding that is Purefoods’ win drought.

12. JAMES YAP – GIANTS
When he is scoring, the team unites to boost him. However it seems that they depend on him so much that when he is struggling, they still yearn for him. Lucky for the Giants, if they try and use PJ Simon and Romel Adducul, both back from injuries, they could have the offensive backup they have been longing.

11. GABE NORWOOD – ELASTO PAINTERS
A top overall pick has the inevitable task to lead his team out of the cellar. A year ago, the top pick which was called Joe DeVance was helpless in leading Welcoat out of the bottom. So with the play this crack guard is performing, people are wondering how Rain or Shine became easy pickings to team of the future.

10. ARWIND SANTOS – EXPRESS
This season, while staying as an elite, we see Santos’ numbers dwindle. We all know about his all-around gameplay but across the stretch leading to the playoffs, he has been working as if he is sick. Fantasy league goers aren’t pleased with Spiderman, especially with his hefty salary and struggling game.

9. JAYJAY HELTERBRAND – KINGS
Without Mark Caguioa, the Kings look for Helterbrand to provide the leadership and the firepower to withstand the competition. However, he too was a victim of the injury plague and went down for three games in which the Kings luckily didn’t lose all. In his third game back, he managed to compile 35 points. Helterskelter’s running wild.

8. JAY-R REYES – ELASTO PAINTERS
Since their entry, the biggest problem that battled the Painters are their atrocious frontline. The problem has become abysmal that sweet-shooting Allan Salangsang has become a PF while Norwood, Rob Wainwright, and Eddie Laure moonlights in the paint to help secure those boards. However, Reyes has been fantastic in his role as the lone threat in the RoS frontline, and this early is a sure Most Improve Player award candidate.

7. JAY WASHINGTON – BEERMEN
Throughout his entry to the pro ranks, critics has been asking when will the J-Wash they saw dominating in the PBL, carry on in the PBA. The question was answered when he arrived to the SMB core. Getting the nod in Siot’s offense, the gangly Fil-Am is Mr. Double Double in the Beermen bench. His contributions waned in their last game however when his temper jumped off the roof and he was eventually sent off in which turned out to be a win for the Gins against his squad.

6. KERBY RAYMUNDO – GIANTS
Alvin Patrimonio’s heir apparent has been playing a yeoman’s job for the Giants. As one of three Purefoods players averaging at least 30 minutes and up, the Kid has been producing monster numbers. But as I have said, after the Big Three, there is no one stepping up. Even Kerby can’t help the bleeding for the Giants!

5. RANIDEL DE OCAMPO – TROPANG TEXTERS
More on this thought but is anybody noticing the fact that Air21 is TNT’s bitch? Okay so, De Ocampo has been dominant this conference. So how will he mesh in a super-souped TNT frontline? De Ocampo can shoot anywhere and is flexible enough to play multiple positions. It’s going to be interesting how he’ll box out Peek, Carey, and his brother for playing time.

4. KELLY WILLIAMS – REALTORS
Sure, offensively he is anything but stellar. But these past few games his other dimensions are slowly reaching balance. Machine Gun in the second half of the eliminations is a board basher, a swat and swipe artist, and a passer! While their position shouldn’t make other teams envious, expect Kelly to go reckless and maul the competition to at least go for a semifinal showing.

3. ASI TAULAVA – TIGERS
Three weeks ago, Lawrence Bonus had virtually no chance in getting at least 2 minutes as a Coke player. With Asi’s injury, Bonus has played one fourth of a game… which will make Samigue Eman, Mark Borboran, and Johnny Abarrientos wet with envy. Consider Asi to play in the wildcard berth. However it remains a mystery whether or not Asi will provide the offense and defense coach Kenneth Duremdes needs in his ragtag core.

2. WILLIE MILLER – ACES
There are many PBFantasy players pissed with Tim Cone for benching Willie Miller. Fact is, he is doing you a favor. After a strong triple-double performance, Miller certainly needs a break from all the wear and tear. The Aces will rest for a max of 2 weeks because of the outright semis berth. The Thriller is bar none, the chief Ace to guard and consider his antics in the playoffs to be as daring as ever.

1. MACMAC CARDONA – TROPANG TEXTERS
Cardona ends the eliminations as the top player of the conference. Despite all the offensive arsenal that the Texters control, Cardona resisted every hand, body, and technical mishaps a PBA player, referee, and court could achieve. Cardona has been an offensive powerhouse that has been absent with Mark Caguioa’s injury and Danny Seigle’s… grounding. Let’s see if his superb gameplay can withstand a new level competition where people go head-to-head to every player with a championship ring on their mind.

Merry Christmas dudes that love balls!

No, I am not talking about that crappy cable sports channel that offers the best sports programs that Filipinos will never watch (although UFC is an exemption… GO WRESTLERS AND REALITY DUDES)!

Photo from eestrada.