The PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup is in a seven-week break to accommodate Gilas Pilipinas' upcoming tournaments, including the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, in which the national team plays Jordan on Aug. 28 and Iran on Aug. 30, before aiming for back-to-back gold medals at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya from Sept. 10 to 20.
Before this long lull, we saw two contrasting trends emerge across the two groups.
NLEX and San Miguel have separated themselves from the pack in Group A, but Group B remains wide open with Rain or Shine holding a half-game lead and reigning Commissioner's Cup champions Barangay Ginebra sitting at the bottom.
Let's look at what intrigued during the first chunk of games in the conference -- and what we can look forward to when the playoff race resumes in October.
Group A
1. NLEX Road Warriors (7-2) -- Gonzales and Bahio off the bench
Previous ranking: 1
For successful coaches, getting the entire roster to buy into the system and philosophy has always been a key component. And that's exactly what Jimmy Alapag has got from NLEX through nine games, with the emergence of L-Jay Gonzales and JB Bahio in their bench roles serving as a testament to that aspect, despite both being capable starters.
With Robert Bolick and Schonny Winston already stellar throughout the Governors' Cup, former FEU Tamaraw Gonzales has made sure the level of guard play doesn't drop a notch, averaging 12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting an elite 65.0 TS% and ranking eighth among all players in win shares. Meanwhile, the workhorse Bahio brings the right amount of activity on both ends of the floor and has polished his inside-the-arc scoring, putting up 9.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game on 60.6% shooting from two-point range.
2. San Miguel Beermen (7-2) -- Looming return to form of Perez and Fajardo
Previous ranking: 2
The Beermen are the league's most potent offensive team at 121.8 points per 100 possessions, led by prolific import George King and Don Trollano, but they can still take another step forward once the conference resumes and their two stars find their rhythm.
Starting shooting guard CJ Perez missed four games due to injury, but was productive in the three games he played, averaging 16.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting an encouraging 50% from the field. Nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo is yet to find his usual dominance, putting up uncharacteristically modest numbers of 8.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, but we expect both stars to ramp things up when San Miguel needs them most.
3. Converge FiberXers (5-4) -- Abueva is finding his role
Previous ranking: 4
Converge made the decision to bring in Cameron Clark to alternate between Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar in the twin-tower setup, and that also opened up opportunities for Calvin Abueva to settle into his natural role.
Tasked with keeping the ball moving in transition at the power forward position, the former San Sebastian Stag has seen improvements in both his production and activity level over the past two games, averaging 11.5 points and 12 rebounds per game. Now, the question is whether Abueva can sustain this level of play and get consistent minutes as the FiberXers look to make a push once the conference resumes.
4. TNT Tropang 5G (4-4) -- Nambatac's resurgence?
Previous ranking: 3
Rey Nambatac has kept TNT afloat as injuries hit hard in the early part of the Governors' Cup, and that's an encouraging sign after some struggles in recent conferences.
The 32-year-old guard has emerged as the Tropang 5G's leading scorer at 19.1 points per game, alongside 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Nambatac's main asset continues to be his ability to get to the stripe -- he leads all locals in the conference at 6.6 free throw attempts per game -- which has allowed him to consistently put pressure on opposing defenses.
5. Terrafirma Dyip (3-5) -- Free throw woes
Previous ranking: 5
Upbeat Terrafirma's record could have been better had they been locked in earlier and avoided the small mistakes that can become costly in narrow defeats.
The Dyip rank second-worst in the league in shooting free throws, at 65.8%, while converting the fewest foul shots at just 12.8 per game. Those missed opportunities have proven costly for a team that has already shown it can compete in tight games.
6. Macau Giant Pandas (2-6) -- Can they execute plays
Previous ranking: 7
Macau has played at the fastest pace in the league at 84.9 possessions per game, but that speed has not translated into smooth offensive execution, with their quick tempo often resulting in rushed or disjointed possessions.
They also have the league's worst assist percentage at 44.5%, while ranking as the second-worst offensive team at just 103.9 points per 100 possessions. Macau must find a way to generate better looks and more consistent ball movement in the half court if it is to turn its pace into an advantage.
7. Titan Ultra Giant Risers (2-7) -- Have we seen the last of Munzon?
Previous ranking: 6
Rumors swirled around a possible trade that would have sent Joshua Munzon to TNT before the deal was eventually rescinded. But the relationship between Munzon and Titan Ultra might already be beyond repair due to contract differences.
If that's the case, the Giant Risers will lose their best two-way player, with Munzon averaging 15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in eight games this conference. Should the move eventually happen, Munzon would seemingly fit right in with the Tropang 5G.
Group B
1. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-2) -- Lemetti's boost in their guard play
Previous ranking: 1
Having already started to integrate star Adrian Nocum as the team's main point guard, Rain or Shine is set to get some added depth in the form of one of its better guards from the previous conference before he went down with an injury.
Felix Lemetti is slated to make his Governors' Cup debut after posting impressive numbers in the Commissioner's Cup, averaging 11.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on a 62.7 TS%. The Fil-Swedish guard's slashing ability was key to Yeng Guiao's offense, and he should provide another dimension to Rain or Shine's attack once he returns.
2. Magnolia Hotshots (4-3) -- Lastimosa has found his mojo
Previous ranking: 4
As Magnolia continued to adjust early in the Governors' Cup, head coach LA Tenorio also had to make decisions to get the team playing cohesively, including moving young star guard Jerom Lastimosa to the bench.
However, that role has produced fruitful results in their past two wins, with Lastimosa putting up impressive numbers of 23.5 points and 4.5 assists while shooting an impeccable 68% from inside the arc. The former Adamson Soaring Falcon's ability to manipulate ball screens to his favor has been a major factor in his recent great play.
3. Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters (4-3) -- Tuffin needs to bounce back
Previous ranking: 2
Phoenix started like on a house of fire, racing to a 4-1 record and taking top spot in Group B after the first round. However, there was little room for a letdown in a competitive cluster of squads, as exemplified by the fluctuation of Ken Tuffin's performance in the past three games.
The Fil-Kiwi shooter's average has dropped to 8.3 points per game from his regular output of 11.2, while his accuracy from beyond the arc has also dipped to 26.7%. If the Fuel Masters are to end this slide in October, they will need Tuffin to rediscover his shooting touch and provide the consistency that sparked their strong start.
4. Blackwater Bossing (3-3) -- Can their three-point shooting recover?
Previous ranking: 3
There's no denying the brilliance of Kentrell Barkley's scoring inside the arc, whether on drives or crashing the glass, while RK Ilagan and Sedrick Barefield have also been a handful in isolation. But Blackwater needs more consistent outside shooting if it aims to make the playoffs.
Despite posting a decent record, Blackwater ranks No. 8 in the conference in offensive rating, at just 108.6 points per 100 possessions. That likely emphasizes the team's struggles from beyond the arc, as the Bossing are shooting just 25.3% from three-point range -- the lowest mark in the conference.
5. Meralco Bolts (3-5) -- Brickman's blossoming outside shot
Previous ranking: 6
Meralco has seen its players get banged up, resulting in a 3-5 mark with two games remaining in the group stage. Yet Jason Brickman is becoming more comfortable in the scoring department, and that is one bright spot as the Bolts make their final push for the playoffs.
Brickman was plagued by an injury in the middle of the conference, but has still averaged 10.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 1.7 steals on an efficient 51.0 TS%, including a promising 37.5% shooting from beyond the arc.
6. Barangay Ginebra (2-4) -- Will Brownlee save the day?
Previous ranking: 5
Riley Grigsby was no pushover in his six games with Ginebra, averaging 26.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, but victories did not result and the team holds the worst record in Group B.
Justin Brownlee is scheduled to return after the break, after suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas once again in the coming fourth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the 20th Asian Games. Brownlee has consistently been Ginebra's go-to guy in big moments, and the Gin kings will need him to quickly regain his rhythm and provide the stability, playmaking and scoring that has made him such a vital piece of their success in they are to climb from the bottom spot on the ladder.