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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