Rain or Shine, NorthPort, and Converge rose up to challenge the powerhouse teams in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
There are contenders. Then there are dark horses.
Apparently, the latter currently lead the ongoing PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
The NorthPort Batang Pier, Converge FiberXers, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, as well as guest team Eastern sit in the Top 4 of the standings before the Christmas break.
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At the rate things are going, it seems there’s no stopping these teams from surging.
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Converge FiberXers (6-2)
With the addition of Jordan Heading and top overall pick Justine Baltazar, Converge has continued to establish itself as a PBA contender.
After pushing San Miguel to the limit in the best-of-five quarterfinals last conference, the FiberXers have been nothing short of amazing this conference.
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Before the break, Converge even dealt Philippine Cup champion Meralco a 110-94 drubbing on Christmas Day.
Things are only looking up for the FiberXers, who are riding the crest of a four-game winning streak.
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Converge will take on TNT on January 11 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Eastern (6-1)
Eastern is not Bay Area. But it does not mean the visiting squad can’t be as dominant.
With Dragons remnants Hayden Blankley, Glen Yang, and Kobey Lam as well as import Chris McLaughlin leading the charge, the Hong Kong-based team zoomed to a 6-1 win-loss record.
Before spending the Holiday season at home, Eastern imposed its might on San Miguel, beating the Beermen in the Commissioner’s Cup and the East Asia Super League in a convincing fashion.
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Eastern will open 2025 against the Meralco Bolts on Sunday, January 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-1)
Rain or Shine needed just one game to get its bearing going in the Commissioner’s Cup.
After the opening loss to Meralco on Dec. 1, the Elasto Painters went on to beat Eastern, San Miguel, Magnolia, and Terrafirma.
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With Deon Thompson averaging 20 points and almost 13 rebounds to go with 2.75 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.25 blocks and the young local crew led by Adrian Nocum, leonard Santillan and Andrei Caracut, things are only expected to get better for the Elasto Painters.
Rain or Shine will go up against Blackwater on January 8 at PhilSports Arena.
NorthPort Batang Pier (6-1)
NorthPort is enjoying a resurgence in the ongoing conference.
The Batang Pier raced off to a 5-0 start, lost to Phoenix, before regaining their winnings ways with a convincing 120-113 win over guest team Eastern last Dec. 20.
NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan has had a lot of weapons at his disposal in this impressive start.
There’s Kadeem Jack, a hardworking import who brings more than just points and rebounds to the team. There’s also Arvin Tolentino, a bona fide star for the Batang Pier.
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But what has made a world of difference is Joshua Munzon, whose prowess on both ends of the floor has allowed the team to go to another level. He is averaging 18.86 points, 3.14 rebounds, 2.57 assists, and 2.43 steals.
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NorthPort will be the next to challenge Ginebra on January 8 at PhilSports Arena.