PBA Power Rankings Week 4

The past 2 weeks in the Bayan saw more injuries than a WWE pay-per-view, the resurrection of players from the grave called “semi-retirement”, and Smart-Gilas games changed to non-bearing (Dissed?  More on that later) finally winning a game.  A few things remain the same though:  Alaska still has an immaculate record, SMC teams are still deep and talented, and Lia Cruz is still friggin hot.

Power Rankings (items in parenthesis indicate previous ranking)

1.  Alaska Aces 6 - 0 (2) Won: Ginebra, Sta. Lucia, Burger King  Lost: None

The juggernaut that is the Aces continue to roll. Was impressive in holding off Baranggay Ginebra in a rabidly pro-Ginebra crowd at the Big Dome.  Followed up with solid wins over Sta. Lucia and Burger King.  LA Tenorio (13.7 ppg) continues to make his statement in this his career year (SMB must be thinking twice on why he was traded for Mike Cortez).  Joe De Vance’s (11.3 ppg 7.3 rpg) game is suited to the triangle offense, effectively negating his weaknesses in athleticism and showcasing his shooting range.  Upcoming games are against winless Rain or Shine, Talk N Text, and Purefoods, the latter 2 having the biggest chance of handing them their first loss.  The way they are playing, the only team that can beat them is themselves.

2.  San Miguel Beer 4 – 2 (6) Won: Talk N Text, Rain Or Shine, Sta. Lucia  Lost: None

Ginebra fans might object to this but 4 straight after losing their opening 2 games over much tougher competition says it all.  The off-season transactions are beginning to reap dividends.  Dennis Miranda gave Sta. Lucia enough reason to regret their decision to trade him as he burned his former team for 10 points in a blowout.   Arwind Santos hasn’t skipped a beat has he leads the Beermen in points and rebounds (17 ppg 12 rpg), the same way he led Air 21/Burger King in the past.  One guy not a fan of the change in the 3-point distance is Dondon Hontiveros who has only 2 made 3-pointers all season long (13% 3PtFG). 

3.  Baranggay Ginebra 4 – 1 (1) Won: Barako Bull, Rain Or Shine  Lost: Alaska

No MC 47, no Jayjay, no Eric, no problem, for now.  The baranggay is showing off their new found depth by having a winning record despite the absence of the Fast and the Furious and Major Pain. The Flying A Johnny Abbarientos saw a mini revival of his career, (playing against Barako Bull, logging an impressive 6 assists, 4 rebs, and a lot of cheers from the Ginebra faithful, before getting injured himself).  Cyrus Baguio taken up the slack, averaging 19.5 ppg in the last 2 games.  JC Intal made up for his loss of Rosalinda (Carla Abellana to non showbiz folks) by getting more consistent playing time and shots.  Still you have to wonder if they can sustain this as their 2 wins were over inferior teams. 

4. Purefoods 3 – 2 (5) Won: Talk N Text  Lost: Coca Cola

Enigmatic 2 games for the Giants.  Lost big to undermanned Coca Cola team, then won against higher seeded Talk N Text.  Rico Maierhoffer (15.5 ppg) has been hot the past 2 weeks, making up for PJ Simon’s injury.  James Yap continues to lead the way but you get the feeling he (15.6 ppg) and Kerby Raymundo (13.6 ppg 8.4 rpg) should be scoring more.  Next game will be against powerhouse San Miguel Beer.

5. Talk N Text 2 – 2 (3) Won: None  Lost: Purefoods, San Miguel

Chot Reyes must be very unhappy with the 2 straight loses to SMC teams. Defending champs having a .500 record despite a strong lineup is a cause for concern.  Still unlike the other teams they’ve only played 4 games, more than enough time to make adjustments.  Jason Castro (12.8 ppg 4.4 rpg 3.8 apg) is blossoming as the PG of the future but Jared Dillinger is of to s slow start due to a bruised rib.  They have a chance to pad their record against Coca Cola and Barako Bull before facing the league leading Aces in their rematch of last year’s finals.

6. Sta. Lucia 3 – 2 (3) Won: Burger King  Lost: Alaska, San Miguel

After winning big against Burger King, they lost to powerhouse teams Alaska and San Miguel.  Started out hot but they must be wondering if their undersized and shallow lineup can actually compete at a high level.  Kelly Williams is leading the league in rebounds (13.5 ppg) but his atrocious shooting (39% FG) needs to improve.  Josh Urbiztondo’s 24 point explosion against B King was a surprise and the Realtor’s hope this is something to build on for the future.  Coach Boyet Fernandez has a daunting task ahead as they face Ginebra in their next game. They are sill banking on their team defense which disappeared in their 2 loses.  Still this bunch of over achievers has a fan in Alaska Coach Tim Cone.

7. Barako Bull 2 – 3 (8) Won: Rain Or Shine  Lost: Ginebra

The little team that could continues to stun experts and afficionados.  Losing over Ginebra was most probably a given but beating a much more talented Rain Or Shine team was a surprise.  What’s amazing is that they are doing this with only Leo Najorda averaging in double digits ( a low 11.2 ppg).  But they have 5 other players averaging at least 8 ppg.  Coach Leo Isaac has practiced teamwork and is showing rewards.  Nothing is expected much from them so all the wins they can get is gravy. 

8. Coca Cola 1 – 3 (10) Won: Purefoods  Lost: Alaska

Undermanned due to injuries and still searching for an identity.  Their injury woes have forced Coach Kenneth Duremdes (or is Coach Bo Perasol) to tap a name from the past, Rodney Santos, erstwhile Slasher, and now semi-retired.  Asi Taulava’s injury has been a big blow to the Tiger’s campaign and you can only ask for too much from 14 year veteran Dennis Espino.  They even has the pleasure of being the first team to lose to Smart Gilas.  It figures to get worse before it gets better for the Tigers with games against Talk N Text and San Miguel. 

9.  Burger King 1 – 4 (7) Won: Rain Or Shine  Lost: Sta. Lucia,   Alaska

Maybe it’s the Japeth fiasco, or the Arboleda fracas, or the 2010 elections. Whatever the reason is, the Whoopers aren’t whopping it up this conference.  Coach Yeng Guaio hasn’t replicate his magic yet like he did with his rag tag Red Bull squads before, and he may not have enough time, what with him running as governor of Pampangga next year.  One wonders how he can concentrate on coaching and run a province at the same time.  Ronjay Buenafe (15.5 ppg) continues to improve and Richard Yee (10.8 ppg) has been a pleasant surprise, but Gary David (12 ppg) should be producing more.  They continue to search for Arboleda’s replacement.

10. Rain or Shine 0 – 5 (9) Won: None  Lost:  Barako Bull, San Miguel, Ginebra

They should be better than this.  Maybe the expectations form last year’s performance was too high.  But then again, it wasn’t as if they were expected to become perennial contenders either.  Only Gabe Norwood (13.2 ppg) is scoring in double figures. Jay- Reyes seemed to have taken a step back and Solomon Mercado has not blossomed as expected, partly due to a lingering injury.  After starting like a house on fire Jervy Cruz has crashed back to earth.  Even Coach Caloy Garcia didn’t escape their spade of bad luck, injuring himself in a car accident 2 weeks ago.  They need to turn things around, fast.

Smart Gilas games changed to non-bearing

After 3 straight loses, an MMA match in the court, and its naturalized player (and defensive anchor) going home due to personal issues, the PBA has decided to change all Smart Gilas games to non-bearing games.  Among reasons given were that the PBA clubs will not necessarily play to prepare the team, rather play to win (in doing so play a different style from what is played internationally).  What compounded this was the fact that Smart Gilas played undermanned without Chris Tiu, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, and CJ Giles (who played all of 5 minutes) against “sister team” Talk N Text, giving them an easy blowout win (during the time when the games still counted), giving conspiracy theorists fuel to give their own conclusions.  Now the PBA has decided not to count the games.

Which leads me to this question, why did Smart Gilas join in the first place?  I never thought it was a good idea to begin with.  If there is something that was highlighted in Tianjin, it was our lack of exposure to the international game.  After much discussion and finger pointing, our basketball leaders decide that the next course of action is to, play in the PBA?  In non-bearing games?  With teams of the same height? Playing mostly the professional style of play?  They should look into playing internationally, get used to the style of play, the system, the officiating, the crowds, the travel.  We seem to be going back to where we started.  And I thought the SBP wanted change.  I hope they get this right this time around.  There is still time.

Fastbreaks: After all of 3 games, scoring 12.3 ppg, Allen Iverson has asked for a personal leave of absence.  His reason: he is unhappy coming off the bench.  He doesn’t still get it.  Practically no team wanted any part of him because of his selfish me first attitude and yet he continues to act like a primadonna.   The Memphis Grizzlies were actually crazy in taking a chance on him, risking the development of young players OJ Mayo and Mike Conley, yet AI repays them by pouting and acting like a spoiled brat.  Reality check AI, your MVP season and championship run was 8 years ago, and other than your scoring titles and individual awards, you have not won anything.  Take your act to Europe.  And bring Stephon with you…..The Philippine Patriots of the ABL have a good 3 -1 record so far, having a good combination of former pros and UAAP stars.  ABL also saw the career revivals of players like Rensy Bajar, Leo Avenido, Kiko Adriano, and Don Camaso, all playing as imports for the other squads….The PBL held tryouts last week.  The well must be really dry if the spotlight player is Hiram Bagatsing…. Finally, here’s one reason to watch women’s soccer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC-pF3OHY1c.   Calling Elizabeth Lambert competative is an understatement.  She would be perfect for Ginebra circa Jaworski years though.