PBA Power Rankings V.2.0

It’s been more than 3 weeks since the opening of the 37th season of PBA last October 2, 2011. All the 10 teams already played three games and Petron Blaze Boosters is on the top of the standings with a 3-0 win-loss card, while the Alaska Aces and the newcomer Shopinas.com Clickers are on the last spot with a 0-3 card.

So let us evaluate the performance of the 10 PBA teams after their first 3 games:

SHOPINAS.COM CLICKERS (0-3)

Many of us predicted that this team will be the new “whipping boys” of the PBA. Although they are still on the verge of getting their first win after their three successive losses, this team is very promising. But we know that Franz Pumaren is a very patient with his team, and in a year or two, this team will be on the winning column in the league. Just add another scoring option and a center and it will be a complete team.

ALASKA ACES (0-3)

After Tim Cone left this team, Coach Joel Banal took over and after three games, they've found themselves in the bottom of the standings. Mac Baracael is showing his A-Game as a rookie and provided the much needed offense while Cyrus Baguio and LA Tenorio still finding their game. Also, Jay-R Reyes is a "revelation" in this conference, averaging double-double in both points and rebounds per game. The only consistent Aces as of now aside from Baracael and Reyes, is Sonny Thoss.

I hope Banal will let Pasculado and Mepana to play in their next games.

BARANGAY GINEBRA GINKINGS (1-2)

This team is very much in need of an "inside presence" in the absence of Eric Menk due to injury as well as the departure of Rudy Hatfield. Mark Caguioa shouldered the scoring responsibility by averaging 18 points per game. I hope this team will finally get what they need to bolster their front court (but not to the extent of raiding the Barako Bull's roster)

BMEG LLAMADOS (1-2)

It is very clear that after three games, the Llamados still finding themselves in the triangle offense anchored by their new coach, Tim Cone. They were beaten by their sister Petron and incomplete Meralco Bolts, but able to snatch a win against the Alaska Aces. One key factor why the team lose their past two games is their free throw percentage.

Tim Cone is in the process of picking the right combination for his system, that's why, as per request, the team is practicing everyday just to familiarize the triangle system.

MERALCO BOLTS (2-2)

Surprisingly, this team is on a roll. After dropping their first game against Talk N Text, they able to win the next two games. With Mark Cardona and Sol Mercado still recuperating from injuries, the Bolts turn to Mark Macapagal and Chico Lanete as their main scorers for the team, as well as Asi Taulava, Gabby Espinas and Mark Borboran took over the rebounding chores.

BARAKO BULL (2-1)

Hey, is this true? Yes! Barako Bull lives up to their tag line "ANG BUMANGGA GIBA!". First it was Ginebra, then yesterday, it was only the defending champs, Talk N Text. Mick Penissi and Willie Miller renewed their "vows", along with their super rookies Superman Dylan Ababou and PBA D-League MVP Allein Maliksi, they helped the team to achieve their best start since... well, past is past and the Barako Bull already moved on to the new chapter of their basketball life.

Next assignment: Shopinas. Hello 3-1 card.

TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS (2-1)

They started their campaign without their Gilas members (Alapag, de Ocampo and Williams), but still they able to win their first two games with Harvey Carey "beasting" every opponent inside the paint, as well as Jason Castro leading the Texters to an early 2-0 lead. But last night, they were "baptized" by the former cellar-dwellar team, Barako Bull.

Japeth Aguilar, after scoring 27 points in their first game against Meralco Bolts, seemed to be "lost in space" in their last 2 games, and limited to just 2 points last game and spent most of his time in the bench versus Barako Bull.

POWERADE TIGERS (2-1)

They maybe missing the services of their top pick JV Casio, but they won't have to wait longer because he maybe playing his first game in the next few weeks. But the whole story belongs to the Powerade's underrated scorer, Gary David. After 3 games, he led the league in scoring with 23 points per game. Aside from him, Marcio Lassiter, Doug Kramer, Sean Anthony and Josh Vandalingham are helping the team in terms of good offense and sturdy defense.

RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS (3-1)

Coach Yeng Guiao and the rest of the Painters are enjoying their campaign in this conference. Why? Not only because they are on the second spot in the team standings, they also found a gem in the person of Paul "the Lee-thal Weapon" Lee. He averaged close to 15 points per game as a rookie and helped the team to a good start this conference. Paul Lee is one of the promising rookies in this league that displayed a characteristic which is very synonymous to his coach: Being "may angas (not maangas)" and showing no fear in every game he played.

PETRON BLAZE BOOSTERS (3-0)

Bad news: Jay Washington, Rabeh Al-Husseini and Dondon Hontiveros is out because of injuries. You may think that Petron might be in the bottom of the standings. But the good news is, they are on the top of the standings! Without the three key starters of the team, here comes to the rescue: Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, rookie Chris Lutz and Danny Ildefonso proved that they are the reigning champions last season and they are here to get the coveted All Filipino championship.

Cabagnot is showing the maturity of his game, Arwind Santos is a "rebounding monster" (18 per game), the rookie sensation Chris Lutz is averaging 17 per game (team best) and Danny Ildefonso, showing no signs of aging, is averaging close to 7 per game.

No Washington, Al-Husseini and Hontiveros? Fear not...