KFC PBA Philippines Cup Power Rankings: Week 2

Biggest jumps: TNT, SMB (3 spots); Biggest drops: SLR, ROS, BAR (2 spots)

1 Talk N Text Tropang Texters (Last week: 4; 3-0)
For a team that has their offensive firepower, it’s a little surprising that TNT is getting it done on the defensive end. They’re allowing only 77.4 points per 100 possessions. Only two other teams are allowing less than 90, and no team less than 85. That crazy depth at point guard is also impressive, with starter Jimmy Alapag and reserve Jason Castro combining to average 24.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 11.7 assists and 2 steals at the position. That’s quality production from that spot.

2 Alaska Aces (Last week: 1; 4-0)
The Aces, as expected, are looking like a top team on defense, but don’t let those points per game fool you. It’s that extremely efficient offense that’s keeping this team on top of the standings. 106.8 points per 100 possessions when the league average is only around 92.5 is fantastic. Alaska has three guys (Willie Miller, LA Tenorio and Reynel Hugnatan) averaging over 15 a game each and three others averaging 9-10 a game. This team has plenty of weapons.

3 Brgy Ginebra Kings (Last week: 2; 3-1)
Mark Caguioa is back on the shelf, but the Kings barely miss the star guard with Ronald Tubid picking up his production. Tubid is averaging 22 points in the last two games and 17.5 for the season. They also got some nice production from JC Intal off the bench this week (12.0 pts, 6.5 rebs). If they keep getting contributions like this, this team will be dangerous when Caguioa and Eric Menk return to active duty.

4 Purefoods Giants (Last week: 5; 2-1)
The Giants pick up an easy win over Barako Bull this week behind 17 points apiece from James Yap and Kerby Raymundo. Purefoods tinkered with their lineup quite a bit in the off-season and the moves look like they’re paying off. Rookie Rico Maierhofer is giving them steady numbers (9 points, 7 rebounds) and has shown the ability to get to the free throw line. Paul Artadi had a nice 8-point, 9-assist game. And while fellow returnee Marc Pingris isn’t putting up the numbers, you know he’ll be big if this team makes it to the Finals. Pingris saves his best for the big games.

5 Sta Lucia Realtors (Last week: 3; 2-1)
With injuries to key guys and some rotation players traded away, nobody really knew how this season would pan out for the Realtors. So far, so good for Sta Lucia. Kelly Williams is flashing a 17-13-3-2-1 line. Gabby Espinas is averaging a double-double. And Joseph Yeo has a nice rounded arsenal, averaging 14 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. This new rotation looks solid, especially if Marlou Aquino can ever find his place in it. The 6’9 center is averaging just 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 15 minutes per game.

6 San Miguel Beermen (Last week: 9; 1-2)
It took all of one game for the Beermen to erase all of the doubts about their ability to compete for the championship. Arwind Santos (28 points, 18 rebounds against Burger King) looks like he can replicate Gabe Freeman’s role in the previous conference, if he can just keep his decision-making on the offensive end under control. Denok Miranda gives them plenty of flexibility in the backcourt. As is the norm, chemistry issues will decide where San Miguel finishes this season but talent-wise, they look deadly as ever.

7 Burger King Whoppers (Last week: 8; 2-2)
The Whoppers may have all the weapons they need on offense with Ronjay Buenafe and the always dangerous Gary David on board, but man, are these guys sorely missing Wynne Arboleda right now. While they have lost none of the toughness that has defined this franchise since Yeng Guiao was hired, the defense just isn’t there so far this conference. Losing Arwind Santos in the off-season and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Arboleda to a suspension will do that. Allowing 100.5 points per 100 possessions isn’t going to do, not with so many loaded teams gunning for the championship this year. Burger King will compete, surely. But a deep run into the playoffs look doubtful at the moment.

8 Rain or Shine Elastopainters (Last week: 6; 0-3)
This team is better than their record indicates. They lost two heartbreakers last week, an overtime game to Sta Lucia and a 2-point decision to Burger King. The team looks promising this conference. Gabe Norwood looks very aggressive. Former UAAP MVP Jervy Cruz is solid down low. Despite his lack of size, he’s averaged 8.3 rebounds a game. They’re one of the top defensive teams again this season, but they need Sol Mercado to get healthy and return to form to help save that bad offense they have right now.

9 Barako Bull Energy Boosters (Last week: 7; 1-2)
Barako Bull is tough to play if only because you don’t know who to guard on the team. They’ve been led in scoring by a different guy every game. Of course, they aren’t really that tough to play considering they’ve been led by Yousif Aljamal, Magnum Membrere and rookie Ogie Menor. That lack of talent is going to do them in this conference, and every conference after this if they don’t get new management anytime soon.

10 Coca-cola Tigers (Last week: 11; 0-3)
Coke with Asi Taulava isn’t great. Coke without Taulava is just plain bad. The coaching staff needs to figure out what they want to do with this roster. They seem to want to run, but those lumbering dinosaurs Taulava and Dennis Espino might get in the way. They only have one guy averaging double figures in scoring. That translates to the worst offensive rating in the league, a nasty 78 points per 100 possessions.

11 Smart Gilas National Team (Last week: 10; 0-3)
This team has much more to worry about than just losing PBA games. The CJ Giles situation could be a huge blow to their FIBA campaign. It isn’t a secret that this team of greenhorns can’t compete without a naturalized player, especially this early in their formation. Smart Gilas has averaged an ugly 71 points per 100 possessions in the two games without Giles. The positives? Some guys are already proving they belong in the league. Japeth Aguilar is averaging 13 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks for Gilas. Mark Barroca is norming 18 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9 assists in the last two games. And even Rabeh Al-Hussaini has come up with a big 14 and 10 in his last game. If the bigs can stop turning the ball over and the guards can start hitting outside shots (JR Cawaling, Dylan Ababou and RJ Jazul are a combined 8 for 41 from the field), this team should start competing in the PBA. But that Giles situation needs to be resolved if this team has any plans to go anywhere in international play.