PBA 2015 Governors’ Cup playoffs preview and predictions

MANILA, Philippines – The PBA Governors’ Cup elimination round has come to an end and the protagonists for this conference’s playoffs have been seeded.

The Alaska Aces, San Miguel Beermen, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, GlobalPort Batang Pier, Star Hotshots, Barako Bull Energy, Meralco Bolts, and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will all begin battle when the postseason kicks off on Friday, June 26, with one ultimate goal on the line: to claim the final championship of the 2014-2015 PBA season.

Which team is a darkhorse to win it all? Which series will turn heads the most? Which players will make headlines? And most importantly, which team will raise the championship trophy when the season comes to an end? 

Our Sports Rapplers give their takes below, along with predictions from the quarterfinals up to the finals.

 

 

Which team is the dark horse to win the championship?

 

Ryan Songalia (Rappler sports editor): I’ve got a dark horse for you: Globalport. They have one of the most exciting back courts in the PBA in Stanley Pringle and Terence Romeo. What they lack in experience, the make up for in energy, plus will be enjoying twice-to-beat advantage for the first time in franchise history. Jarrid Famous is a rebounding machine and is hard to stop in the paint. Their eliminations-closing win over Alaska opened quite a few eyes.

 

Jane Bracher (Rappler sports reporter): The Star Hotshots, though defending champions, is the clear dark horse to me. Like they normally did through last season’s Grand Slam run, they seem to be bubbling under the surface and beginning to peak at the right time once again. After a dismal start, they ended the eliminations with 3 wins in a row.

 

Naveen Ganglani (Rappler sports reporter): I’m going with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. They started the conference slow after a gruelling 7-game finals against Talk ’N Text in the Commissioner’s Cup, but ever since, they’ve been the hottest team in the league as they enter the playoffs with 6 straight wins. 

 

They’re ranked no. 4 in the conference in points (99.7) and second in FG% allowed (41.4%), proving they get business done at both ends of the floor. Wendell McKines continues to grow more accustomed to his teammates as each game goes by, and the return of Jeff Chan makes the Elasto Painters a more complete and versatile team on offense. They’ve been under the radar these past few weeks even with the winning streak, but rest assured they’re still title contenders.

 

 

Which quarterfinal series is most compelling and why?

 

Ryan: Alaska vs Ginebra has drama written all over it. Alaska ending San Miguel Beer’s winning streak stamped them as the team to beat in the postseason. They should be well-rested by the time they meet Ginebra, who are riding high off a mission impossible qualification into the Governors’ Cup playoffs. I’m very interested to see if the Gin Kings can take their confidence into the quarterfinals and prolong their season.

 

Jane: I think San Miguel against Meralco is pretty good. Another offense versus defense match-up. It will be interesting to see how the Beermen will fire up its offense against a defensive-oriented team like the Bolts, whose coach is a defensive tactician as well. Likewise, we will see how Meralco will fare with its limited offensive options. Their defense will truly be put to the test.

 

Naveen: I’ve got to go with GlobalPort vs. Star. I mean, come on. 

 

You got two imports who dominate in different ways: Jarrid Famous in the paint and on the glass, and Marqus Blakely who creates havoc with his high-energy play on both sides of the floor. You got the face of the PBA in James Yap against the guy who could very soon take his throne in Terrence Romeo. You got two very exciting guards to watch in Stanley Pringle and Mark Barroca. You’ve got two guys who can shoot lights out in Omar Krayem and PJ Simon. This is going to be fun.

 

 

Which player(s) do you expect to have breakout performances in the playoffs?

 

Ryan: Terence Romeo has his final showcase to show that he deserves to be in the Gilas pool, and I expect him to show that he is the shooting guard killer Filipino fans are looking for. I think Ginebra will need a lot out of Jiwan Kim if they’re going to advance past the quarters, and he’ll do his best. Still so tough to guard off the dribble.

 

Jane: JVee Casio is due for an explosion. He averaged just under 7 points in the last 3 games and has been silent for the most part of the conference. Expect Arizona Reid to go all out also if ever he faces his former team in the semifinals.

 

Naveen: First, it has to be Terrence Romeo. He’s already the best one-on-one player in the PBA, but it’s in the the playoffs where stars turn into superstars due to the stage. Is he ready to make that leap? I think so, but the road ahead won’t be easy. I think he still needs to trust his teammates down the stretch more, but I have confidence that he will lead this Batang Pier team past the Governors’ Cup defending champions and to their first ever semifinals appearance.

 

I also think Marcio Lassiter (13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists per game this conference) will ride his current hotstreak into the postseason, further strengthening his campaign for Best Player of the Conference. Also, an even more stellar showing in the playoffs could help solidify his spot as a the main long range threat for the national team.

 

 

Which teams face in the finals and who wins?

 

Ryan: Until proven otherwise, San Miguel and Alaska are still the two best squads in the league and may be headed towards another Finals showdown. It’s the best teams, not players, who win titles. If we get another showdown between these two teams, I won’t be surprised or disappointed.

 

Jane: I have Alaska and San Miguel in a rematch of the Philippine Cup Finals, and I have the Aces winning it all in full distance. If ever these teams do meet again in the Finals, it will be a revenge series for Alaska. It will be a test of whether or not they truly learned from the past. And once again, the old notion of “defense wins championships” will be challenged.

 

Naveen: What’s been clear this conference is that Alaska and San Miguel are at the top of the PBA totem pole. Both teams were the most consistent throughout the conference and remain league leaders in statistical categories for both sides of the floor. Romeo Travis and AZ Reid are currently the favorites for the Best Import Award. Both squads have the deepest benches in the PBA. Their coaches are tremendous. 

 

Who wins? I’m going with San Miguel. When the two teams went head to head, Alaska won, but not before the Beermen had a crack at stealing the game despite a mediocre performance from Arwind Santos, bad shooting by June Mar Fajardo, and Alaska holding a double-digit lead for most of the game. What worries me more is Calvin Abueva, who clearly hasn’t been healthy since the All-Filipino conference. Will it takes another 7 games to determine a champion? Yes. And I think San Miguel wins that seventh game again.

 

Predictions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How about you guys? Who do you think will be champions? Do you agree with our predictions? Let us know in the comments section.

 

– Rappler.com