Don’t blame quotient chasers

With 20 games left in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations schedule, not a single team from 12 contenders has been struck out of contention to make it to the playoffs. Even tailenders Blackwater and San Miguel Beer, both toting 2-6 records, are still in the running with three assignments remaining in their calendars.

On top of the heap is Talk ‘N’ Text at 6-2. The Tropa has won four of its last five so coach Joseph Uichico should be pleased. What crinkled his eyebrows was the Texters’ 106-103 loss to Kia last Feb. 25. If the Tropa had beaten the Carnival, the Texters would now be riding a five-game winning streak. Ivan Johnson’s arrival to replace Richard Howell was a blessing. With Howell in harness, Talk ‘N’ Text posted a 4-1 record but obviously, the coaching staff felt he wouldn’t be able to bring a championship to the franchise. Howell had sub-par numbers in the wins over Rain Or Shine and Barako, raising the alarm to find a more explosive import. The Texters’ next games are against Purefoods on March 14, San Miguel Beer on March 18 and Alaska on March 21.

Tied for second with identical 5-2 marks are Meralco and Rain Or Shine, ironically going separate directions. The Bolts got off to a jackrabbit start at 5-0 but they’ve lost their last two to San Miguel and NLEX. The setback to the Beermen was forgivable as Josh Davis went down in the second period on a bad fall with the score tied, 30-all, and never came back. The loss to the Road Warriors exposed Meralco’s weakness in the middle with no natural center able to hold off Asi Taulava or Al Thornton at the post. Power forward Reynel Hugnatan has been moved to center with Davis alternating at four or three with Cliff Hodge, leaving coach Norman Black severely undersized.

Meralco plays Barako Bull on March 13, Alaska on March 17, Purefoods on March 20 and Blackwater on March 25 with the Bolts expected to break out of the doldrums sooner or later. What’s fueling the Bolts surge is Gary David’s explosive production off the bench. David is averaging 21 points a game and is one of only four locals to score in double figures every outing (the others are Globalport’s Terrence Romeo, Rain Or Shine’s Paul Lee and Alaska’s Sonny Thoss).  Thoss is a recent addition to the elite circle with 16 points in his conference debut against Kia last Tuesday.

The Elasto Painters are on a three-game winning roll and they’ve won five of their last six. They’re unbeaten in two games since Wayne Chism checked in to replace Rick Jackson. Coach Yeng Guiao has started every player in his 13-man rotation and surprisingly, Beau Belga has been a first stringer only once. It’s Guiao’s way of keeping his players on their toes and ready for any eventuality. Rain Or Shine has lost only to Talk ‘N’ Text by three and Meralco by five. Still in the Painters’ calendar are San Miguel on March 13, Barangay Ginebra on March 15, Blackwater on March 20 and Kia on March 22.

Here’s how the rest of the teams stack up: Purefoods 5-3, Ginebra 4-3, Barako Bull 4-4, Globalport 4-4, Kia 4-5, NLEX 3-4, Alaska 2-5, Blackwater 2-6 and San Miguel Beer 2-6. Because only four wins separate the top from the bottom and 11 of the 12 teams will still play at least three games, expect players to go for points down to the last second. Never mind the sporting gesture of running out the clock with a big lead. At the end of the eliminations, there will be no playoffs with all ties to be broken via the quotient system. That means every team will try to widen its lead in each game for a cushion in case of a tie in the standings. Coaches who aren’t used to teams scoring points to the last second with the outcome settled must be reminded that it’s not to rub salt on wound. Don’t castigate the quotient chasers. They’re just out to make sure their team has a soft cushion if it’s involved in a tiebreak.

Four teams will be struck out after the eliminations. At the moment, the four bottom squads are NLEX, Alaska, Blackwater and San Miguel. The Road Warriors have won three of their last four. They lost to Alaska by one and Talk ‘N’ Text by two so NLEX’ record could’ve easily been 5-2. Thornton has been phenomenal in his last four outings where he scored at least 30 points. If he continues to play inspired and coach Boyet Fernandez gets maximum mileage from his locals particularly Taulava, NLEX should be a cinch for the playoffs. The remaining games in NLEX’ schedule are against Barangay Ginebra on March 11, Globalport on March 15, Kia on March 18 and Barako Bull on March 24.

Alaska has lost its last three and not even Thoss’ return could stem the tide in the Aces’ defeat to Kia. With D. J. Covington, Alaska went 2-2. But with Damion James, the Aces are 0-3. It hasn’t helped coach Alex Compton that Jvee Casio sat out the first four games and played sparingly the last three. Alaska can still make it to the playoffs but the Aces must string up wins in a hurry. Left in Alaska’s calendar are games against Blackwater on March 11, Meralco on March 17, Talk ‘N’ Text on March 22 and Barangay Ginebra on March 25.

Blackwater is coming off a 115-104 win over Kia, the Elite’s second triumph this conference. Brian Heruela, Marcus Douthit and Sunday Salvacion each delivered at least 20 points in downing Kia. That’s the kind of firepower coach Leo Isaac needs to take care of business. How to generate the consistency is the challenge. Blackwater faces Alaska on March 11, Rain Or Shine on March 20 and Meralco on March 25 to complete its elimination schedule.

San Miguel displayed grit and character in trouncing Barako Bull, 102-91, last Tuesday even as JuneMar Fajardo left the game with a sprained ankle in the first quarter never to return. Undersized import Arizona Reid showed the way with 34 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists but the man of the hour was Arwind Santos with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Alex Cabagnot hit 17 and Doug Kramer 14, both off the bench, to provide continuity. The Beermen play Rain Or Shine on March 13, Talk ‘N’ Text on March 18 and Globalport on March 24 in a last-ditch bid to stave off elimination.