The 2021 PBA season is upon us, with a triple-header kicking off the Philippine Cup on Friday. How does each team stack up? Here's the second of our team-by-team previews, featuring the NorthPort Batang Pier and the NLEX Road Warriors.
NorthPort Batang Pier
Additions: Greg Slaughter, Jamie Malonzo, Troy Rike, Sidney Onwubere, Jerrick Balanza, Clint Doliguez, Jeepy Faundo
Subtractions: Christian Standhardinger, Bradwyn Guinto, Kelly Nabong, Jervy Cruz, Sean Manganti, LA Revilla, Jerramy King (note: Cruz, Manganti, and Revilla have been transferred to the Batang Pier's 3x3 team)
Holdovers: Robert Bolick, Sean Anthony, Kevin Ferrer, Garvo Lanete, Nico Elorde, Paolo Taha, Renzo Subido, Jonathan Grey
2020 record: 1-10 (11th place; missed playoffs)
Key stat from 2020: 47.5 rebounds per game
NorthPort had the league's best rebounder last season in former man-in-the-middle Christian Standhardinger. After his 12.0 boards per game, however, the rest of the Batang Pier were not as active at collaring missed shots.
NorthPort as a team grabbed 47.5 caroms a game, fourth-worst in the league, compared to giving up 51.8 rebounds to the opposition.
Making matters worse was the Batang Pier's dismal defense which allowed opponents to score 98.5 markers against them, the third-worst mark in the league. Despite boasting of well-regarded defenders in Sean Anthony, Kevin Ferrer, and Nico Elorde, foes still looked at their defense as target practice, shooting 43.6% from the field and 34.5% from the great beyond.
All in all, NorthPort's defensive rating was a ghastly 108.5 - only last-place Terrafirma was worse at 113.95.
Their offense didn't fare any better and put up only 89.6 points per game, which translated to a 98.8 offensive rating. These are the issues the Batang Pier are hoping the additions of Greg Slaughter, Jamie Malonzo, and Troy Rike would address.
Player to watch: Robert Bolick
Robert Bolick's promising rookie year was cut short by a partial tear to his right ACL in October 2019. Since then, the former San Beda superstar didn't set foot on a PBA court, opting to stay away from the following season's "bubble" to further his recovery.
It has been nearly two years, but it remains crystal clear for NorthPort when Bolick provided 12.8 points, 6.0 assists (fifth in the league), and 5.0 rebounds in seven games played in the Governors' Cup. Without a doubt, he was THE game plan back then, accounting for 27.6% of all his teammates' makes, good for third-best among locals.
Whether or not the former Gilas Pilipinas contributor could do the same things post-knee injury is now the most glaring question for the Batang Pier. If he could, then NorthPort may very well make waves.
2021 outlook: The Batang Pier's disappointing showing last season could be attributed to one major factor: injuries. Bolick was still recovering from an ACL injury and then Anthony went down because of a strained hamstring four games into the "bubble."
Amidst the gray skies, the future remains bright for this young squad, though.
Head coach Pido Jarencio has already proven in the past that they can become one of the league's best when they have a great inside presence. With the addition of Slaughter and Rike as well as Malonzo and Sidney Onwubere, all with big bodies that could bang with the best of them, expect NorthPort to raise some eyebrows.
People questioned the Slaughter for Standhardinger trade when it was approved last March, but the former UST shot-caller was quick to defend the swap.
"We don't want to lose an opportunity to get a seven-footer. It's hard to get a seven-foot player that knows how to play. Christian, he's a good player. He's not a bad player," explained Jarencio in Filipino. "Greg can fill our needs. He could change our inside presence, rebounding, intimidation, and we could go to him [for offense]."
The returns of Bolick and Anthony allow the Batang Pier to make a run at things. And when you add a 7-foot center? Then watch out, PBA.
NLEX Road Warriors
Additions: Calvin Oftana, Don Trollano
Subtractions: Paul Varilla (note: Cyrus Baguio was in NLEX's original lineup at the start of last season but opted out of the bubble and subsequently retired)
Holdovers: Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas, Jericho Cruz, JR Quiñahan, Mike Ayonayon, Raul Soyud, Mike Miranda, Anthony Semerad, Bong Galanza, Kenneth Ighalo, Kris Porter, Will McAloney, Philip Paniamogan, Asi Taulava (Injured Reserve)
2020 record: 5-6 (ninth place; missed playoffs)
Key stat from 2020: 110.95 offensive rating
Last season, head coach Yeng Guiao and his assistants reconfigured the NLEX offense with just a short turnaround time, and it led them to becoming the league's best.
The Road Warriors produced 110.95 points per 100 possessions - a whole four points better than second-place Phoenix. They were also the most accurate in terms of percentages, making 45.3% of their field goals, including a 52.7% clip on two-pointers (first) and 33.4% mark on triples (fifth).
Shooting efficiency also favored Guiao's wards, as their true shooting percentage - accounting for all field goals, three-pointers, and free throws - stood at another league-best of 55.3%,
Conversely, however, NLEX lacked something Guiao teams are known for: defense. Inside the "bubble," they surrendered 99.2 points per game, second-worst in the league.
Another glaring stat is that the Road Warriors let their opponents shoot 42.9% against them, the league's third-highest mark, including 33.0% from downtown. That meant that, at best, their defense was pedestrian - and their 104.6 defensive rating would attest to that.
Player to watch: Kiefer Ravena
Without a doubt, a large part of why the NLEX offense was league-best was because of Kiefer Ravena's stellar play.
Seemingly possessed by the spirit of idol Kobe Bryant, Ravena put the team on his back and poured in his best numbers to date in the PBA. With averages of 19.4 points (seventh), 5.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists (seventh) in 30.5 minutes played, the Road Warriors are a cinch to continue making the former Ateneo star their focal point.
Not only was Ravena great at scoring, he was efficient at it as well, making 47.3% of his field goals, 39.6% of his threes, and 82.5% of his charities. Also notable was his 60.6% true shooting percentage, the third-best for players who attempted more than 13 field goals per game.
The primetime playmaker's passing ability shouldn't be ignored either as he assisted on 26% of his team's field goals.
2021 outlook: In the previous rookie draft, the Road Warriors' best-laid plans were derailed after getting just one of the two first-round picks they had wanted to build their team around.
Gone was Mikey Williams, finding his way to sister team TNT. Nevertheless, NLEX got a gem in former NCAA MVP and Gilas standout Calvin Oftana, described as a complete player on both ends of the floor.
Assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa raved about the third overall pick, with Oftana meeting - and even blowing away - expectations.
"Calvin, he's good as advertised," described Lastimosa in a previous interview. "He's long, he's got an outside shot. He can post up. His handles are probably better than ordinary."
The 6-foot-5 wing could also strengthen the interior presence of NLEX as a player able to patrol both the perimeter and the paint.
"You can make him guard any position other than the 5; he can guard 1, 2, 3, 4. Of course, he needs maturity, and that comes with time. But all the skills, agility for a player, he's got it," continued Lastimosa, himself a PBA legend.
Although they aren't seen to vie for a twice-to-beat advantage after the elimination round, expect the Road Warriors to be in the thick of things for a playoff spot they feel they should have had last season.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Figures courtesy of Stats by Ryan on DribbleMedia.com