Thursday, October 15, 2015

Ranking The PBA Teams: The Bottom Four













In this three part series, we’ll review the PBA teams and rank them according to the strengths of their lineups.

First up, #12-#9.


#12 MAHINDRA ENFORCERS
Roster
Name
Position
Aldrech Ramos
F/C
LA Revilla
G
Karl Dehesa
G
Nino Canaleta
F
Joshua Webb
G/F
Eddie Laure
F
Paulo Hubalde
G
Manny Pacquiao
G
Philip Paredes
F/C
Rich Alvarez
F
John Pinto
G
Kyle Pascual
F/C
Mark Yee
F
Hyram Bagatsing
G
Bradwyn Guinto
C
Leo De Vera
F

Analysis: This Mahindra team is seriously lacking in talent to compete in the PBA. Their two best players are Aldrech Ramos and Nino Canaleta, who are skilled players who can be effective third or fourth options on offense but as main men, they will be found sorely lacking. Add to that the team’s lack of quality big men in a golden era for PBA big men plus the shoddy treatment of Mahindra management with regards to their players and coaches and you get a team that will languish at the bottom of the heap.

#11 BLACKWATER ELITE
Roster
Name
Position
Mike Cortez
G
Raphy Reyes
G
Juami Tiongson
G
Carlo Lastimosa
G
JP Erram
C
Almond Vosotros
G
Gilbert Bulawan
F
Jason Melano
F
Frank Golla
F/C
Jason Ballesteros
F/C
Riego Gamalinda
G/F
Keith Agovida
F/F
Reil Cervantes
F
James Sena
F/C
Art de la Cruz
F


Analysis: The word that defines this Blackwater Elite team is “potential”. Almond Vosotros and Art de la Cruz are good basketball players who can contribute immediately and if players like Mike Cortez, Reil Cervantes and James Sena can turn in solid performances, they’ll have a good chance of avoiding being the worst team in the PBA.

#10 BARAKO BULL ENERGY
Roster
Name
Position
James Forrester
G
Josh Urbiztondo
G
Emman Monfort
G
JC Intal
G/F
RR Garcia
G
Jeric Fortuna
G
Jens Knuttel
G
Jervy Cruz
F
Chico Lanete
G
Willy Wilson
F
Yutien Andrada
F/C
Michael Miranda
F/C
Paul Sorongon
G
Mac Baracael
F
Mick Pennisi
C
Prince Caperal
C

Analysis: Barako Bull Energy is hinging their fortunes on the versatile trio of JC Intal, Mac Baracael and RR Garcia. Which is somewhat worrying because Baracael’s minutes and game has been steadily declining, probably because of age (he’s 30), and RR Garcia has been underwhelming in his PBA career so far. Only JC Intal has shown that he has considerable superstar potential, after averaging 21.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a game for the Energy last year. He was also part of the Gilas 3.0 team that finished second in the FIBA Asia Championships. But if these Gilas veterans (yes, they all played on Gilas teams) can somehow channel their inner superstars at the same time, Barako Bull may surprise a lot of teams.


# 9 NLEX ROAD WARRIORS
Roster
Name
Position
Simon Enciso
G
Marc Cardona
G
John Wilson
G
Kevin Alas
G
John Raymundo
G
Sean Anthony
F
Jonas Villanueva
G
Garvo Lanete
G
Enrico Villanueva
F/C
Mark Borboran
F
Jeckster Apinan
F
Wynne Arboleda
G
Glenn Khobuntin
F
Rob Reyes
F/C
Harold Arboleda
G/F
Asi Taulava
C

Analysis: Honestly, I had it as a virtual toss up between the NLEX Road Warriors and our #8 team (to be revealed in tomorrow’s article). The Warriors fall to number 9 because their best player is 42 years old. Asi Taulava desperately needs to pass the leadership baton to someone. Unfortunately, Marc Cardona is too immature, Kevin Alas and Glenn Khobuntin are too young, and the rest are too ineffective to lead either by words or by example. Until then, the ageless Asi will continue to pave the road to respectability for NLEX.

In the next article, we will reveal our picks for teams #5-#8.

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