#PBA2016 Previews Part 2

 

 

Check out Part 1 of Rappler’s PBA 2016 Previews

MANILA, Philippines – This is the last of two parts of Rappler’s previews for the 41st season of the PBA.

Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters:

Head coach: Jong Uichico

Last title: 2015 Commissioner’s Cup

Offseason moves:

Notable additions: Moala Tautuaa (drafted 1st overall); Troy Rosario (trade); Dylan Ababou (trade)

Critical losses: N/A

Last season’s performance:

Philippine Cup: 10-7, lost in semifinals

Commissioner’s Cup: 16-7, champions

Governors’ Cup: 5-6, didn’t make playoffs

Full line-up (as of Oct. 13, 2015): Dennis Miranda, Harvey Carey, Larry Rodriguez, Moala Tautuaa, Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier, Dylan Ababou, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, Kelly Williams, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Ranidel de Ocampo, Danny Seigle, Aaron Aban. (Line-up does not include newly drafted NCAA players)

What to expect for the 2016 season? 

Rookie power combo: The Texters are ageing no more. Head coach Jong Uichico injected some youth into his veteran core in 2015’s top two rookies Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario – a versatile center-forward combo that is likely to make immediate significant impact for the team. The hype only kept growing as the two had a very busy offseason training and playing for national team Gilas Pilipinas as part of Tab Baldwin’s pool. 

The Gilas experience: Guard Jayson Castro, forward Ranidel De Ocampo, and athletic swingman Matt Ganuelas-Rosser also benefited greatly from international burn playing for Gilas at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship. When the 41st season tips off, they will have veteran experience way beyond their years. 

The leadership of guys like Castro and De Ocampo coupled with the fresh young legs of rookies Tautuaa and Rosario have people uttering Talk ’N Text in the same breath as San Miguel Beer in championship conversations. 

Will exhaustion catch up? One critical downside to playing internationally the entire offseason is tired, wobbly legs and a drained mind. Even head coach Jong Uichico also served Gilas as assistant coach. How much will exhaustion play into Talk ’N Text’s quest for a title?

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 

Head coach: Tim Cone

Last title: 2008 Fiesta Conference

Offseason moves:

Notable additions: Tim Cone; Aljon Mariano (drafted 16th overall); Joe Devance (trade); Earl Scottie Thompson (drafted 5th overall)

Critical losses: N/A

Last season’s performance:

Philippine Cup: 7-6, lost in quarterfinals

Commissioner’s Cup: 5-7, lost in quarterfinals

Governors’ Cup: 5-7, lost in quarterfinals

Full line-up (as of Oct. 13, 2015): Sol Mercado, LA Tenorio, Dave Marcelo, Jayjay Helterbrand, Nico Salva, Dennice Villamore, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Aljon Mariano, Chris Ellis, Joe Devance, Mark Caguioa, Rodney Brondial. (Line-up does not include newly drafted NCAA players) 

What to expect for the 2016 season? 

Revived and refreshed: With the two-time Grand Slam and winningest coach in PBA history Tim Cone at the helm, much is expected from fan favorite Barangay Ginebra. Fans are excited to see what Cone can do to finally end the team’s championship drought. However the Gin Kings, though already slightly familiar with the triangle offense from their time with coach Jeff Cariaso, still have a long way to go. And Cone, battle-tested with 27 years of experience, understands the process. 

Balanced line-up: The pressure rises another notch with the addition of versatile veteran forward Joe Devance from Star to shore up an already formidable twin tower frontline of Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar. He is expected to share his experience with the triangle to the team, which also still has the veteran guard duo Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand. The Gin Kings also have new faces in former UAAP Finals MVP Nico Salva, former UST standout Aljon Mariano, and NCAA MVP Earl Scottie Thompson.

Meralco Bolts: 

Head coach: Norman Black

Last title: N/A

Offseason moves:

Notable additions: Jimmy Alapag (trade); Rabeh Al Hussaini (re-signed); Chris Newsome (drafted 4th overall)

Critical losses: Sean Anthony (trade)

Last season’s performance:

Philippine Cup: 7-6, lost in quarterfinals

Commissioner’s Cup: 8-8, lost in semifinals

Governors’ Cup: 6-7, lost in quarterfinals

Full line-up (as of Oct. 13, 2015): Bryan Faundo, Jimmy Alapag, Cliff Hodge, Ron Jayson Buenafe, Chris Newsome, Anjo Caram, Rabeh Al Hussaini, Jared Dillinger, Reynel Hugnatan, Hubert John Ferriols, Kelly Nabong, Rey Guevarra, Gary David. (Line-up does not include newly drafted NCAA players) 

What to expect for the 2016 season? 

Learning from the Mighty Mouse: Lending his years of experience and expertise to Meralco is the 37-year old Jimmy Alapag. The former Talk ’N Text playmaker came out of retirement for a chance to hopefully help the Bolts out of its rut in the middle of the league pack. The former PBA MVP’s addition certainly does not mean Meralco will win a championship right away, but if younger guys such as rookie swingman Chris Newsome and point guard Anjo Caram absorb his teachings well, Alapag will have already done his job. 

A true contender soon enough: The Bolts have long fell short of its potential with flashes of brilliance but ultimately failing to break through the semifinals barrier with a line-up that always had holes. But with the addition of Newsome and the return of big man Rabeh Al Hussaini, coach Norman Black may just turn Meralco into a true contender.

Globalport Batang Pier: 

Head coach: Pido Jarencio

Last title: N/A

Offseason moves:

Notable additions: Roi Sumang (drafted 26th overall)

Critical losses: N/A

Last season’s performance:

Philippine Cup: 5-7, lost in quarterfinals

Commissioner’s Cup: 4-7, didn’t make playoffs

Governors’ Cup: 7-6, lost in quarterfinals

Full line-up (as of Oct. 13, 2015): Paolo Taha, Jonathan Uyloan, Billy Mamaril, Stanley Pringle, Dorian Peña, Anthony Semerad, Terrence Romeo, Joseph Yeo, Doug Kramer, Rico Maierhofer, Jay Washington, Roi Sumang, Philip Paniamogan, Keith Jensen. (Line-up does not include newly drafted NCAA players) 

What to expect for the 2016 season? 

Watch out for Terrence Romeo: Obviously after an impressive stint with Gilas Pilipinas, everyone is dying to see how much chaos Terrence Romeo will bring to the PBA. He will once again be the focal point of coach Pido Jarencio’s offense and his maturity is expected to have improved coming off international play. His leadership capabilities will once again be tested this season. 

Smooth, sharp-shooting team or tangled mess? Romeo is surrounded by a boatload of talented guards from Stanley Pringle, Joseph Yeo, Jonathan Uyloan, to rookie Roi Sumang. The congestion in the guard position certainly looks like recipe for disarray so it remains to be seen what Jarencio, known to favor guards and sharp shooters on his team, can pull up his sleeve to organize things and avoid the tangled mess. 

How much can Philip Paniamogan do? Let’s also not forget newly acquired shooting guard Philip Paniamogan, who went undrafted in 2014 and entered the PBA through the backdoor with his perseverance. The former Jose Rizal University gunner may not have turned heads in the draft but he reportedly put on quite the performance in offseason pocket tournaments for Globalport. If Jarencio can put him in the right environment to tap his potential, he is likely to provide quality minutes off the bench.

Barako Bull Energy:

Head coach: Koy Banal

Last title: N/A

Offseason moves:

Notable additions: Jeric Fortuna (trade); Mac Baracael (trade); Jervy Cruz (trade)

Critical losses: Dylan Ababou

Last season’s performance:

Philippine Cup: 4-8, lost in quarterfinals

Commissioner’s Cup: 5-7, lost in quarterfinals

Governors’ Cup: 6-6, lost in quarterfinals

Full line-up (as of Oct. 13, 2015): James Forrester, Josh Urbiztondo, Emman Monfort, JC Intal, RR Garcia, Jeric Fortuna, Jervy Cruz, Chico Lanete, Willy Wilson, Yutien Andrada, Michael Miranda, Paul Sorongon, Mac Baracael, Mick Pennisi. (Line-up does not include newly drafted NCAA players) 

What to expect for the 2016 season? 

Work on consistency: Barako Bull managed to make the quarterfinals in all 3 conferences last season but never got over the hump. The Energy showed promise here and there but were never really able to stay the course. If coach Koy Banal wants his squad to make a legitimate run in the playoffs, they have to learn consistency.

They’ll also certainly be bolstered by a more experienced JC Intal fresh off his time with Gilas Pilipinas. While gunner Mac Baracael will likely take on more of a leadership role compared to his stint with Ginebra.

Blackwater Elite: 

Head coach: Leo Isaac

Last title: N/A

Offseason moves:

Notable additions: Art Dela Cruz (drafted 9th overall); Almond Vosotros (drafted 13th overall)

Critical losses: Brian Heruela

Last season’s performance:

Philippine Cup: 0-11, didn’t make playoffs

Commissioner’s Cup: 3-8, didn’t make playoffs

Governors’ Cup: 1-10, didn’t make playoffs

Full line-up (as of Oct. 13, 2015): Mike Cortez, Raphy Reyes, Juami Tiongson, Carlo Lastimosa JP Erram, Almond Vosotros, Gilbert Bulawan, Jason Melano, Frank Golla, Jason Ballesteros, Riego Gamalinda, Keith Agovida, Reil Cervantes, James Sena (Line-up does not include newly drafted NCAA players) 

What to expect for the 2016 season?

Scratching and clawing out of the hole: This is a season of hope for Blackwater despite losing playmaker Brian Heruela, their bright spot from last season.They have a promising new batch of rookies led by former San Beda standout Art Dela Cruz and De La Salle playmaker Almond Vosotros. They also have veteran Mike Cortez in the mix for stability. Everybody can bet on the second year PBA team to scratch and claw its way out of the cellar this 41st season. – Rappler.com