The Commissioner’s Cup playoffs figure to be one thrilling ride, so we preview the matchups by asking one question that may very well determine who advances and who goes to Kangkong Island.
The Commissioner’s Cup playoffs are all set. We break down these four matchups with a burning question for each one
(1) Bay Area Dragons vs. (8) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Can ROS slow down Myles Powell?
The key to beating Bay Area is slowing Myles Powell down. That is easier said than done, as the former Seton Hall standout has averaged 37.3 points per game for the conference. Prime Gabe Norwood would have relished the challenge of blanketing the 6-2 American, and he likely would have had some success doing it.
Unfortunately, Mr. President is longer the defensive dynamo he once was, and he will have his hands full against Powell. So will Coach Yeng Guiao. That’s trouble for ROS, whose only chance at an upset is to keep Powell from being an impact player.
(2) Magnolia Hotshot Timplados vs. (7) Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
Has the roof caved for Phoenix?
Just a few weeks ago, Phoenix was the league’s hottest team, winning six straight after a 0-3 start to the conference. But the Fuel Masters have since gone 0-3 to fall all the way to 7th and a twice-to-win disadvantage. That hot stretch seems so long ago, and Phoenix looks a shell of the team that once beat Meralco, Ginebra, Converge, and TNT.
Most likely, this dry spell is more representative of the kind of team Phoenix is: a middling team that just got hot. That means doom for the Fuel Masters, who are up against a presumptive finalist in Magnolia.
(3) Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings vs. (6) Northport Batang Pier
Will the former Gin Kings haunt their former team?
There are nine ex-Gin Kings active for Northport—Arvin Tolentino, Jeff Chan, Kent Salado, Prince Caperal, Jerrick Balanza, Kevin Ferrer, MJ Ayaay, Paolo Taha, and Art Dela Cruz—and they will want to prove something to their former team. That makes them very dangerous.
In fact, the last time Barangay Ginebra played Northport, the Batang Pier managed to keep the game close thanks in part to Tolentino, Chan, and Ferrer playing well. A few more solid efforts from these former ka-barangays and Coach Pido Jarencio might be coaching at least until Christmastime.
(4) Converge FiberXers vs. (5) San Miguel Beermen
Are the Beermen finally coming around?
San Miguel got off to a slow start this conference, in part due to import woes and in part due to June Mar Fajardo missing five games while recovering from surgery. But the Beermen seem to have turned things around and are now riding high on a four-game winning streak.
Then again, there continues to be drama at the San Miguel side, largely because Coach Leo Austria’s status remains uncertain. This might be a distraction for the Beermen—and it can be something Converge can exploit. But if San Miguel has indeed righted the ship, then the FiberXers are looking at an early exit.