TAKEAWAYS: HOTSHOTS ICE COLD SO FAR IN PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP

BARANGAY Ginebra had a rousing debut in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on the same day TNT punched a ticket for its first win in the midseason conference.

The Gin Kings unveiled new acquisition Troy Rosario in a 109-100 win over NLEX, while the Tropang Giga put one up over Magnolia, 103-100, in Wednesday’s double-header at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The win was the first for Ginebra since losing Game 6 of last conference's finals, while the win was the first for TNT since bagging the Governors’ Cup in six games.

Here are some takeaways in the NAS twin bill.

1. EARLY MELTDOWN FOR MAGNOLIA

The Hotshots have tumbled out of the gates and have lost three straight against Converge, Northport, and TNT. Their lone win came at the expense of Blackwater.

Injuries to key players Paul Lee and Zavier Lucero are hurting the team, but Magnolia still appears to be playing without the same fire and cohesion it has had before. Ricardo Ratliffe is not a bad choice, although there are moments when his age is obviously showing up.

PHOTO: PBA Images

The season so far hasn’t been a good one for the proud franchise, and coach Chito Victolero has his work cut out for him. Perhaps this is the perfect time for the Hotshots to shed off their 'Introvoys' tag.

2. CALVIN OFTANA, NEW FACE OF TNT

Veteran Jayson Castro remains the heart and soul of the Tropang Giga, but the hot-shooting Oftana is slowly rising as the new face of the telecommunications franchise.

He proved that in the win against the Hotshots, as he drilled career-highs of 42 points on nine three-point shots made. He already had 23 points at halftime to help TNT set the pace.

PHOTO: PBA Images

With Castro yet to suit up this conference, the 28-year-old Gilas Pilipinas wingman has taken upon himself to show the way for the reigning Governors’ Cup champions.

Incidentally, with import Rondae Hollis Jefferson finishing with 41 points, the Tropang Giga duo became the first import and local teammate to finish with 40 points each in the same game after Terrence Bailey (45) and Allan Caidic (42) in a 147-136 Presto win over San Miguel in the 1991 Third Conference, as per PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.

3. TROY ROSARIO ARRIVAL GIVES GINEBRA DEEP FRONTCOURT

From where it stands right now, the Gin Kings boast of a solid frontcourt with Rosario teaming up with resident big man Japeth Aguilar and import Justine Brownlee - and even better, they're still waiting on the middle of the conference when injured bigs Jamie Malonzo and Isaac Go return to active duty.

PHOTO: PBA Images

Coach Tim Cone said both Malonzo and Go are possibly available by January, giving Ginebra a massive rotation down low. Rosario had nine points and seven rebounds in his debut from the crowd daylings, though he's clearly still learning the Cone system, as he shot 4-of-11 from the field and committed four turnovers.

2024-12-12T08:10:47Z