After being blown out by FEU in the opening game, the team has quietly put together a 3 game winning streak against the lower performing teams (Adamson 0-3, UE 2-2, NU 1-3). On one hand the team has shown its depth, playing a deep rotation, but this same depth is also indicative of an uncertain rotation. Hopefully the team will get its rotation set as they get more games under their belt. Key developments so far:
- PG: 3 man rotation without a clear starter. Jerie Pingoy appears to have the edge, with Matt Nieto emerging ahead of Hubert Cani at this point due to Cani's conditioning or lack of it. Pingoy clearly has more talent than Nieto but has struggled when pressured. He is, however, the only player capable of creating his own offense when Ravena sits.
- OG/SF: Clear starters are the veterans Ravena and Pessumal, though Von has not progressed into anything more than a spot up shooter. When Black and/or Wong come in off the bench to relieve Kiefer, the team struggles without any creator. They need to keep Pingoy in the game when Ravena sits as despite his pronouncements, Pessumal has shown no progress in becoming more than a spot up shooter. Black and Wong are also the same at this stage, though Black may be more advanced in creating his own shot. At time two PGs play together and take up some of the OG minutes.
- PF/C: These are the most unsettled positions with 7 players seeing significant time at the two positions. Most of the minutes will go to Ikeh and Gotladera, while Babilonia and Capacio also seem to have regular slots in the rotation. Arvin Tolentino has received inconsistent playing time, as have Vince Tolentino and Apacible. At some point a 7 man rotation over 2 positions will be untenable on a regular basis.
They suffered their first loss today against NU after starting the season with 3 straight wins. The team has a solid and flexible rotation up front with Abdul, Ferrer, Vigil, Lao, and Bonleon and solid at the shooting guard with leading scorer Daquioag. Their biggest problem is at point where they rotate three players none of which is a clear starter. This will continue to be their weak link as the season progresses as none appears to be capable of taking the reins.
FEU (2-1)
They are emerging as the team to beat, with solid and blowout wins over Ateneo and LaSalle sandwiching a stunning defeat to UST. Despite their mediocre start, they remain to be the frontrunners due to their solid and deep rotation. Finishing any place other than first should be considered a disappointment.
UE (2-2)
The team appears to be a legitimate final four contender. They have a solid big man rotation led by Javier and De Leon who both shoot well from the outside and can force the opposing big man to go out on defense. Batiller has been scoring well and doing it within the flow of the offense. If Varilla and the big men can provide enough scoring support, they can surprise a few teams.
UP (2-1)
Impressive as their start has been, I don't see them as serious Final Four contenders. They do have some pieces in Kone and Manuel but I think the pieces are just enough to make them competitive in games but not enough for a Final Four slot.
DLSU (1-2)
LaSalle has started poorly and there are rumors about internal bickering that is affecting their stability. That aside, their lineup is not as balanced as it usually is. They have holes at center and point guard, while remaining solid at the other 3 slots. Luckily for them, Prince Rivero has stepped up and shown he can play starter's minutes at the 4 spot, allowing them to use incumbent 4 Perkins as an undersized 5 together with Tratter. Perkins' game appears to have suffered by playing out of position but he remains their best option at the slot so far. Rivero is solid as a 4, and Teng plays most of the minutes at the 3. Rookie Caracut and Sargent give them a solid rotation at the 2, and with Teng at the 3 as well. This though is not enough to make up for a glaring hole at the point where Torres and Go have proved inadequate. They miss the presence of Montalbo, who would either give them a 3 man rotation or take over the position himself. They need to have a couple of their bench players step up and cover the holes at the 1 and 5 spots.
NU (1-3)
While they are definitely weaker than last year's team with the graduation of Rosario and Khobuntin, they should still have a solid rotation. The backcourt should continue to be solid with Alolino, Diputado, Javelona, and Alejandro, while center should be fine with Aroga getting most of the minutes and Neypes filling in for him. Their problems are with the forward line, where no one has emerged to take over the 4 spot and the players at the 3 spot have not been consistent.
Adamson (0-3)
The projected cellar dwellers have performed up to expectations. They have some talent, but Ochea will struggle as the go to player, and import Sarr is not an solid scorer. Consequently they lack offensive punch and will continue to do so for the season. They have players who step up every now and then but they lack someone to support. They should be in last place all the way to the end of the season.
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