#PBA2015 PREVIEW: BLACKWATER ELITE vs RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS – SPOILER’S ROLE

With only about a handful of playdates left in the elims round of the Commish Cup, the Blackwater Elite have officially been eliminated from quarterfinal contention. From this point on, they will play the spoiler’s role against teams who need more wins to secure their spots in the next rounds.

One of these teams is ROS, which is currently at fourth place in the standings. A win here gets them into a tie for first/second place with PUR and/or TNT (depending on the results of the second game), but a loss drops them into a tie with NLEX for 4th-5th place. Of course, the Painters want to move up as the top two seeds get twice-to-beat advantages in the next round.

Here are some things to watch in this game:

1. KUYA KEEPS ON TRUCKING

Needless to say, the Blackwater Elite would be nowehere without Kuya Marcus Douthit. Yes, they are in last place, but with Douthit, they have been able to get their first two franchise wins this conference. Despite his advanced age, Kuya Marcus just keeps on trucking for BLA. Can he continue playing at a high level and help the Elite spoil the party for ROS?

Comm Cup stats: 19.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.4apg, 1.4spg, 3.4bpg, 37.7 FG%

Vs ALA: 21pts, 15rebs, 3asts, 2stls, 7blks, 9/17 FGs

2. DOUBLE R: RAPHY & RIEGO

Two guys that stepped up for BLA in their previous game were Raphy Reyes and Riego “Bam” Gamalinda. Both gave been quite unheralded players for the Elite, but both have the potential to be consistent solid contributors. They combined to score 22 points, grab 12 rebounds, and hand out 5 assists in that game. If they can step up again for BLA, who knows? They might just pull the rug from under the Painters in this game.

Combined Comm Cup stats: 13.4ppg, 5.6rebs, 3.1apg

Combined vs ALA: 22pts, 12rebs, 5asts, 3 triples

3. HERUELA STRUGGLES

One guy who struggled for the Elite, though, was rookie sensation Brian Heruela. Heruela, who was coming off a big 27-point, near-triple-double game against the Kia Carnival, was held to just 5 points on 2/10 FG shooting against Alaska. To compound things, he had just 3 assists and turned the ball over 4 times. If BLA wants to make a mark against ROS and try to go for the upset, they will need Heruela to be at his best.

Comm Cup stats: 11.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 5.3apg, 1.2spg, 1.9 TOpg, 46.0 FG%

vs ALA: 5pts, 4rebs, 3asts, 0stls, 4 TOs, 20.0 FG% (his worst game of the conference)

4. OUTGUNNED, OUTREBOUNDED, OUTPLAYED

All throughout this conference, and this season in fact, Blackwater has been outgunned, outrebounded, and just flat out outplayed by everyone else. Statistically, this is the worst team in terms of scoring and rebounding. They also have the worst average point differential of around -10 points. They have no chance of really turning things around this conference, but they can plant the seeds of improvement by playing well in their last two games.

Scoring: 80.9ppg – dead last

FG%: 39.3% – dead last

2pt%: 42.9% – dead last

Rebounding: 43.1 – dead last

Rebounding difference: -12.8 per game

Scoring difference: -10.4 per game

5. WILD WILD WAYNE

ROS has really benefitted from the return of Wayne Chism. The 6’9 balik import has been rock-solid for ROS, leading the Painters to a 3-1 record in his four games since replacing Rick Jackson. The former Tennessee Volunteer is currently second among all imports in scoring, top 5 in FG%, tops in three-point accuracy (minimum 10 attempts), top 4 in rebounding, and among the least turnover-prone. If he can just play his usual game against BLA, then ROS shouldn’t run into a lot of trouble.

Comm Cup stats in 2014: 22.7ppg, 13.3rpg, 2.4apg, 1.3spg, 1.1 triples per game

Comm Cup stats in 2015: 33.5ppg, 15.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, 2.5 triples per game

6. IBA NA ANG MAANGAS

Of course, another guy who has been doing great for ROS is Paul Lee. The young former UE Red Warrior has blossomed into a bona fide superstar in the pros, and his stock continues to grow with each passing season. He hasn’t scored under 10 points this conference and remains among the league leaders in scoring, three-point shooting, and rebounding. He is slowly becoming the new face of the ROS franchise, and performing well against the lowly Elite will highlight his star power.

Comm Cup stats: 17.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.5apg, 42.6 3pt%, 2.9 triples per game, 41.2 FG%

Rankings:

17.3ppg – 4th best among locals

2.9 triples per game – 2nd best among locals

42.6 3pt% – Top 7 best among locals

7.3rpg – 6th overall best among locals and tops among guards

7. BIG BAD BEAU

In ROS’s previous game, Beau Belga got entangled with Mark Caguioa and things got physical and a little testy. Ginebra fans predictably jeered Belga and he was even the target of some projectiles from the stands. Belga, however, relished in the “villain’s role” opposite the league’s most popular team. This is Beau’s true character as an unabashed enforcer, and, whether we like it or not, there is just no changing him (not even that PhP 70,000 fine).

“Tuwang tuwa ako sa ganyan. Yun ang gusto ko sa lahat. Sa lahat ng laro ang pinakagusto ko yung kalaban ko yung buong arena. Kumbaga after ng game mas maraming iiyak, mas marami akong paiiyakin. Yun ang gusto ko. And then siyempre at the same time pag natalo kayo tanggapin mo.” – Belga

“As long as nananalo yung team ko, wala kaming problema. Kahit na kalaban ko yung buong mundo okay lang. Tatanggapin ko.” – Belga

8. GONE GABE?

One guy who has been playing a bit out of character, though, is Gabe Norwood. The resident defensive stopper and midrange option for Gilas Pilipinas has struggled so far this conference. He has scored in double-figures in just one game and he laid a big fat egg in their previous match against Ginebra. We are talking about the 2009 Rookie of the Year, and former Mythical Second Team member, and a former All-Star Game MVP. Without a doubt, ROS needs better production from Norwood, right?

Comm Cup stats: 7.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.6apg, 38.9 FG%

9. MARQUEE MATCH-UP: BRYAN FAUNDO VS RAYMOND ALMAZAN

The game’s key match-up will be between two former Letran Knights and two of the most underrated big men in the league — Bryan Faundo of BLA and Raymond Almazan of ROS. Faundo, at 6’6, sacrifices a lot of size compared to the 6’9 Almazan, but both are pretty solid defenders and they can finish well around the rim. The key here is which player can better perform in terms of rebounding and trying to stop the opposing team’s import? Can Faundo keep up with Wayne Chism, who has been a threat not just inside but also on the perimeter? Can Almazan contain Marcus Douthit, who has great timing and footwork in the paint? Time to find out.

Faundo season stats: 10.ppg, 6.5rpg, 50.0 FG%

Almazan season stats: 8.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 55.6 FG%

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