PBA Rookie Watch: 10-6

So, as promised, here goes our next five in our PBA Rookie Watch. This time, we feature one rookie from Alaska, and two for GlobalPort and Rain or Shine. So, let's start, shall we?

Click here to see who ranked 15 - 11
Note: Statistics and standings are accurate as of Friday, December 13, 2013, 12:00 pm

10. Ryan Buenafe, 8th overall, Alaska Aces 

lwtsPER - 17.45 - 17%
Consistency - 27%
Team Standing (2-4) - 6.66% - 7%
Expectations - 13.2% - 13%
My Opinion - 4.45% -4%

Total Grade - 68.76% -69%
Letter Value -  B+

I'm gonna tell you the truth, I initially calculated Buenafe to be in the 14th spot, but then I realized that his team standing was calculated wrong! That aside, I believe the former Blue Eagle's shooting touch should return once his confidence goes back, and not his eating attitude and practice routines (did he have one?) from his second year in college.

9.  Nico Salva, 11th overall, GlobalPort Batang Pier

 

lwtsPER - 16.41% - 16%
Consistency - 25.5% - 26%
Team Standing (3-3) - 10%
Expectations - 13.05% - 13%
My Opinion - 4.35% - 4%

Total Grade - 69.31% - 69%
Letter Value - B+

Another Blue Eagle is on the top 10 rookies. Salva has been mostly a role player for GlobalPort, unlike his previous role in Ateneo, where he was one of the main guns. With the change of roles also come a major dip in his numbers, but rest assured that Salva, a guy who went perfect from the field and free-throws one fateful night, would come blazing on any given day.

8.  Terrence Bill Romeo, 5th overall, GlobalPort Batang Pier

lwtsPER - 17.51% - 18%
Consistency - 26.7% - 27%
Team Standing (3-3) - 10%
Expectations - 13.8% - 14%
My Opinion - 4.75% - 5%

Overall Grade - 72.76% - 73%
Letter Value - B+

Terrence Romeo was expected to fill in the shoes of Gary David. At least, for me, he is doing what he needed to do, save for his two-game shooting slump. If he continues his monster numbers, limit his turnovers, and be more consistent, he's bound to be one gun any team would wish to have.

7. Alexander Nuyles, 9th overall, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

 

lwtsPER - 15.79% - 16%
Consistency - 26.4% - 26%
Team Standing (4-2) - 13.34% - 13%
Expectations - 13.35% - 13%
My Opinion - 4.3% - 4%

Total Grade - 73.18% - 73%
Letter Value - B+

This high-flying guard from Adamson has certainly been a factor for the E-Painters, though scoring-wise, he is invisible. Add some more scoring, and Nuyles would skyrocket up the Rookie Watch.

6. Raymond Almazan, 3rd overall, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

lwtsPER - 17%
Consistency - 25.5% - 26%
Team Standing (4-2) - 13.34% - 13%
Expectations - 13.05% - 13%
My Opinion - 4.5% - 5%

Total Grade - 73.39% - 73%
Letter Grade - B+

Almazan's numbers have severely dropped, and I believe one of the reasons for the dip in his numbers is his frame. With the Extra Rice Inc. with him, Beau Belga and JR Quinahan could teach a thing or two to Almazan on gaining weight.

So that ends the second batch of rookies in our Rookie Watch. Please do leave a comment or a +1. Also, I apologize for the lateness of my posts. Time management is one of my biggest weaknesses. (GS)

Matias goes to Air21

 A deal involving Rain or Shine and Air21 was finalized last December 6, which involved Ronnie Matias.

Rain or Shine, not normally known to be a wheel-and-deal team, traded away Ronnie Matias for a 2016 second-round pick of Air21.

Matias was a reliable wingman for Coach Yeng Guiao. However, his services were quite not needed by the start of the 2014 season, with the entry of college stars Jeric Teng, Alexander Nuyles, and Raymond Almazan forcing him to the reserve list.

“Yes, boss Lito (Alvarez) told me about it. And it was a good move, we can make use of Matias. He’s a scrappy player and he can provide us the height and hustle,” said Franz Pumaren of the acquisition of Matias. “May shooting din yan. Saka may depensa. Kaya he can be a great addition,” he added. (GS)

GlobalPort exacts revenge on Rain or Shine for 3rd win

Raymond Almazan (right) challenges the shot of Jay Washington.

Photo courtesy of Nuki Sabio

Last year, GlobalPort was very close to forcing a rubber match for a semifinals berth. Leading after 36 minutes, everyone was expecting a do-or-die match pitting GlobalPort against Rain or Shine. But Junel Baculi's ejection, and the eventual defeat of his team, started a series of events that ended with interim coach Richie Ticzon replacing him at the helm.

This time, though it is a game in the eliminations, GlobalPort avenged its setback.

Despite squandering a 14-point cushion near the end, the Batang Pier held on to win over Rain or Shine, 90-88, in the continuation of the 2013 PBA PLDT-myDSL PBA Philippine Cup.

After ending the 1st half, 36-35, GlobalPort clamped down on the defensive end, making key stops and effectively setting up their teammates. In particular, Marvin Hayes, Mark Yee, Kelly Nabong and Rudy Lingganay were the ones responsible for defending their match-ups, Hayes and Yee taking turns in guarding shooting specialist Jeffrei Chan. The third quarter ended with a ten-point deficit for the Painters, 60-70.

However, the tables turned on GlobalPort as Paul Lee provided the spark for Rain or Shine. The 2012 Rookie of the Year poured 13 of his 20 points in the successful effort to erase the lead of the Batang Pier. A triple by the man dubbed as the "Angas ng Tondo" tied the game at 87-all with less than 180 seconds left.

Sol Mercado responded by driving hard to the basket, which resulted to a trip to the foul line. However, Mercado split his charities to shove GlobalPort ahead, 88-87.

A failed offensive thrust by the E-Painters resulted to Mercado dishing out a pass to rookie Justin Chua. Chua did not fail Mercado, and hit the baseline jay to push the lead to three, 90-87.

Beau Belga muscled his way to the paint to get fouled by Chua. Belga split his freethrows to cut the deficit to two, 90-88.

A challenged shot by Lee following a missed triple by Mercado over Belga resulted in GlobalPort having a chance to easily get away with the win. But Belga held his ground against Jay Washington and blocked the latter's shot to give Rain or Shine a decent shot at stealing the game from GlobalPort.

Coach Yeng Guiao drew up a play that supposedly would give Lee or Chan a wide-open shot from long distance. But the E-Painters were not able to execute properly, a missed shot by Lee gave Rain or Shine their second loss in six games.

Mercado and Washington had 20 points apiece, with Mercado dishing seven dimes and Washington grabbing 13 boards. Rookies Chua and RR Garcia added 12 and 13, respectively. Terrence Romeo still struggled with a solitary point, but gave four assists to contribute fairly.

JR Quinahan had 14 markers and added eight rebounds for good measure. (GS)

The scores:

GLOBALPORT 90 – Washington 20, Mercado 20, Garcia 13, Chua 12, Nabing 8, Yee 5, Lingganay 5, Hayes 4, Salvador 2, Romeo 1, Menk 0, Belencion 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 88 – Lee 20, Quinahan 14, Norwood 11, Belga 10, Cruz 9, Chan 8, Arana 7, Teng 4, Nuyles 3, Tiu 2, Almazan 0, Ibanes 0, Rodriguez 0.

Quarterscores: 18-22, 36-35, 70-60, 90-88.