#PBA2015 GOVS CUP QUARTERFINALS PREVIEW: GLOBALPORT BATANG PIER vs PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS – BALIKTAD NA ANG MUNDO

The GlobalPort Batang Pier are coming off their best finish in franchise history, and their prize? Facing the defending champion Purefoods Star Hotshots in the quarterfinals. What’s going for GLO is that they have a 2x to beat edge against PUR. Now, we will really get to see what GLO is made of as they will have the tough task to try and hurdle the challenge of the defending champs.

GLO is on the heels of a three-game winning run, beating NLX, KIA, and league-leading ALA in succession. This augurs well for the Batang Pier, who are looking to build on their current success and perhaps surprise a lot more teams moving forward. Armed with a young core and two dominant imports, GLO has really been able to stamp its class this conference, but the questions remains — can they win the big games?

PUR, meanwhile, has also won three straight contests, beating TNT, BAR, and BLA heading into this battle with the Batang Pier. PUR won the season match-up, defeating GLO in the PHL Cup and COMM Cup, but the tables were turned when the Hotshots lost to GLO in the GOVS Cup. With the defending champs finding themselves in the unfortunate position of having to win twice to move on, it really cannot be denied na “baliktad na ang mundo.” Ang dating tinatalo (GLO) and ngayon ay nangingibabaw.

Previous results:

PHL Cup

PUR beat GLO, 81-75

COMM Cup

PUR beat GLO, 83-70

GOVS Cup

GLO beat PUR, 91-89

1. BATANG PIER’S BEST FINISH

GLO has never finished an elims round with a winning record… until now. They won 7 of their 11 games, and, consequently, clinched a top 4 spot and an accompanying 2x to beat advantage in the quarterfinals. Without a doubt, this is the best finish in franchise history yet, and they would do well not to squander it.

Combined elims records (2013 PHL Cup till 2015 COMM Cup): 23 wins, 68 losses (25.3% win percentage)

*Highest finish was 5th place in 2013 GOVS Cup

2015 GOVS Cup Elims record: 7 wins, 4 losses (63.6% win percentage) – finished as 4th seed

2. TERRENCE ROMEO- BPC FAVORITE?

Terrence Romeo has been absolutely awesome this conference. He scores at will and hardly anybody can stop him. He has put up 20 or more points in 8 of his 11 games, and has never scored below 14 yet. He will be PUR’s main headache in this game.

Stats: 23.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.6apg, 1.1spg, 2.5 triples per game, 40.4 FG%

last game vs PUR: 17pts, 3rebs, 3asts, 2stls, 1blk, 3 triples.

3. STANLEY PRINGLE- ROY LOCK?

Rookie Stanley Pringle is the odds-on favorite to win ROY this season, and a solid performance in these playoffs will surely make that outcome all but certain. He has been an all-around efficient player, too, scoring, rebounding, and making plays for his teammates. If he can produce well here, PUR will be in a heap of trouble.

Stats: 15.6ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.7apg, 1.6spg, 2.7 triples per game, 53.3 3pt%, 50.5 FG%

last game vs PUR: 15pts, 2rebs, 2asts, 1stl, 3 triples, 5/8 FGs.

4. OMAR KRAYEM: THE BEST ASIAN IMPORT?

Krayem will also be someone PUR has to stop. In his last game against PUR, Krayem torched the Hotshots with 4 triples, finishing with 20 points. He’s a very explosive and streaky shooter, and if he catches fire, the Hotshots might not stand a chance. Also, he has arguably been the most consistent Asian import out there, which may make him the Best Asian Import, if ever there was such an award.

Stats: 14.4ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.0apg, 1.6spg, 2.4 triples per game, 38.2 3pt%, 39.1 FG%

last game vs PUR: 20pts, 3asts, 4 triples, 8/12 FGs

5. JARRID FAMOUS: MR. 30-20

Famous has been a monster since coming over to replace interim import Steve Thomas. The 6’11 naturalized Lebanese has put up huge double-doubles in every single game so far. He is #3 among all imports in scoring, #1 in rebounding, and #3 in shot-blocking. He is the interior anchor that makes the game easy for everyone else in GLO.

Stats: 31.1ppg, 24.4rpg, 1.9apg, 2.1bpg, 52.5 FG%

6. INSURMOUNTABLE DISADVANTAGE

In franchise history, according to the PBAologist Fidel Mangonon III, Purefoods Star has NEVER advanced to the next round when faced with a 2x to win disadvantage. This is a big hurdle for the team, but against a team as red-hot and as stacked as GLO, can the Hotshots weave some magic, pull off an upset, and finally make a breakthrough?

7. LAST REMAINING GEM

After winning four straight conferences, PUR has gone on to lose their PHL Cup and their COMM Cup titles. Can they go on to defend the last remaining gem in their Grand Slam crown? It will be a terribly demanding and challenging prospect, but if any team can do it, it should be PUR, what with its steady veterans and an amazing import in Marqus Blakely.

2015 PHL Cup: 6 wins, 5 losses – lost in the quarterfinals to MER

2015 COMM Cup: 8 wins, 3 losses – lost in the semifinals to TNT (eventual champ)

2015 GOVS Cup: 6 wins, 5 losses – ???

8. MARQUS BLAKELY: ARE HIS BEST DAYS BEHIND HIM?

Import Marqus Blakely has actually been putting up great numbers this conference, but, somehow, it seems like he has had to carry this team much more than before. Having said that, even if he remains a beast on both ends, it looks like the 27-year old’s best days may be behind him already. For PUR to pull the rug form under GLO, Mr. Everything will have to, quite literally, do everything for the Hotshots.

Stats: 23.2ppg, 13.6rpg, 3.6apg, 2.7spg, 2.7bpg, 0/10 3pts, 58.1 FG%

last game vs GLO: 19pts, 17rebs, 5asts, 3stls, 4blks, 7/10 FGs.

9. PJ SIMON: THE SUPER SUB

Simon has really struggled all throughout this entire season, and he had a very slow start this conference, but in his last 3 games, we finally caught a glimpse of the old PJ Simon. He has been a splendid sub for PUR, and if he can provide a big spark once again in the second unit, then things should look up for the Hotshots in this one.

1st 8 games: 5.0ppg, 1.6rpg, 0.0 3pts, 43.6 FG%

last 3 games: 13.7ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.3 triples per game, 58.3 FG%

10. X-FACTOR: BENCH SCORING

Speaking of the subs, production from the bench will be a big x-factor in this encounter. In their last meeting, the GLO reserves outscored the PUR reserves, 50-36, with Stanley Pringle, Omar Krayem, and Ronjay Buenafe leading the way. Without a doubt, PUR, being the deeper team on paper, should negate this advantage GLO has. If the Batang Pier second unit can do anything they want and score in bunches, PUR will be on the ropes. On the other hand, if PUR’s bench can also deliver, and upset may be in the cards.

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