Topsy-turvy at the half
The Philippine Basketball Association ( PBA) is on a nineday break to give way to the midseason classic All- Star Game, also putting a halt to action in the current Commissioner’s Cup which at the halfway point can be categorized as “topsy- turvy.”
Looking at the standings midway into the midseason PBA tournament one cannot be blamed for taking a second glimpse for its “unfamiliarity” with teams deemed to struggle actually doing well and those that were expected to have their way lagging.
On top of the heap to date are the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 5-1. Middled for much of the previous tournament Philippine Cup, the EPainters have come out like a house on fire to start the ongoing tournament.
Obviously they have found a good fit in burly import Reggie Johnson who has provided the heft and ceiling to man the middle for Rain or Shine, allowing the rest of the team flexibility to do other things to much success. It has also helped that more of the E-Painters are stepping up and making their presence felt on a regular basis to fortify their campaign further.
Joint second are the Alaska Aces and TNT KaTropa at 4-1.
Much Like ROS, Alaska has benefitted from a having a working local crew, led by a rejuvenated Vic Manuel, and a steady import in Antonio Campbell.
The Aces had a strong start in the last conference but faltered in the end but with the way they are handling themselves right now it seems like they are poised go deeper this time around.
TNT, for its part, is performing as expected especially after restructuring their roster last conference and during the in-between conference break that netted for them the likes of Terrence Romeo, Jericho Cruz and Don Trollano.
Import Jeremy Tyler underperformed for the KaTropa and was given the boot but the team has proven anew when a squad is brimming with talent it is going to be tough to deny it success.
At solo fourth to date are the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (3-1) who have done a good job turning things around after being tripped initially in the tournament.
It is going to be interesting though how the dynamic would change for the team after the departure of original import Vernon Macklin, who asked to be released to play in China.
Good thing for Magnolia though is it has time to acclimatize with its replacement import during the All- Star break before plunging back into action.
At fifth with a 3- 2 record are the Meralco Bolts and Phoenix Fuel Masters.
The Bolts had it rough in the All-Filipino tournament but are competing on a better footing this time around with former best import awardee Arinze Onuaku providing inside muscle on both ends of the court.
Phoenix, for its part, is having it up and down so far but is showing a lot of promise with its versatility and depth.
Next are the GlobalPort Batang Pier and Columbian Dyip at 3-3.
GlobalPort has to be given credit for performing that way it does after the departure of star guard Romeo. It has been playing with a lot of hustle and aggressiveness in the competition and it has been churning out good results.
The same could be said for Columbian, which has been far different team from the one which won only one game last conference as the Kia Picanto.
The bottom four, and currently outside looking in if the playoffs started today, are the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings ( 1- 3), NLEX Road Warriors (1-4), San Miguel Beermen (0-3) and Blackwater Elite (0-6).
Competitive teams in the last couple of PBA conferences, to see these four at the bottom is really surprising.
The defending champions Beermen are definitely off to a bad start so much so they have replaced their original import Troy Gillenwater with erstwhile PBA banned Renaldo Balkman. Chemistry is proving to be a work in progress right now for San Miguel as they also have to assimilate rookie Christian Standhardinger to its system.
Import woes could well be attributed to the struggles of the Kings as Charles Garcia, while serviceable, did not really bring the best out of the team in the collective. Resident import Justin Brownlee is set to make his return which is a good news for the Ginebra faithful.
NLEX certainly has been a big letdown in the Commissioner’s Cup after a semifinal finish in the last conference. The Road Warriors have yet to really establish a groove, making one wonder if they will ever get one this conference.
Blackwater, too, has dropped significantly. While it was not expected to really lord it in the standings, to be winless halfway into the tournament is surely left field considering the talent it has. The Elite have changed coach but there is still no end to their woes.
With teams “upside down” halfway into the tournament, the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup is proving to be of note. And the thing about it all, there is still the second half to be played.