The PBA Governors' Cup has just begun, but it already feels like a whirlwind of action and excitement. With the league playing six days a week, Blackwater has already notched three games, Ginebra has taken the court once, and the remaining 10 teams have each played twice.
From 4-point line instant reactions to standout rookie performances, it's easy to get caught up in the moment and jump to conclusions. But as the dust settles, it's time to separate the genuine trends from the knee-jerk reactions.
Let's dive into the hottest takes of the conference so far and determine which ones are here to stay and which are just fleeting hype.
Felix Lemmeti: A hidden gem unveiled?
The 2024 draft was one of the deeper classes in recent years, with household names from the collegiate ranks and foreign leagues entering the PBA. But knowing head coach Yeng Guiao's ability to spot hidden talent, Rain or Shine used their eighth pick to draft guard Felix Lemmeti.
A virtual unknown in the Filipino basketball landscape, the Fil-Swedish Lemmeti wasn't on most draft boards. This made the prospect of seeing how his success in the US NCAA Division I and II would translate to the PBA all the more intriguing.
In two games with Rain or Shine Lemmeti has proven that the gamble was worth it.
In his PBA debut, the 25-year-old rookie drained 60% of his 3-point attempts, scoring 11 points along with three rebounds and two assists in a solid 17 minutes of action. He followed that up with a clutch 13-point performance against Ginebra, helping steer the Elasto Painters to a 2-0 record. Lemmeti made several crucial drives to keep the Rain or Shine offense afloat in the fourth quarter, but none was bigger than his game-sealing 3-pointer, which likely served as the icing on the cake in garnering attention from PBA fans.
Can Myke Henry make a run for the Best Import award?
Compared to fellow ex-NBA imports in the Governors' Cup like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Glenn Robinson III, the curiosity level among fans for Myke Henry wasn't as high. This could be due to his being part of the NLEX Road Warriors or perhaps his pedigree not being as compelling as the others. Yet, Henry's impressive two-game stretch in Week 1 is beginning to change that narrative, as he starts to showcase his potential and prove his value on the court.
Henry's stat line is as solid as it gets for an import, with 34 points, 9.5 rebounds, and four assists on 58/64/69 splits. While his play isn't flashy, you can bank on Henry to make the right play every time. His shot selection is sound, he's a willing passer, and he can adapt to what NLEX needs on defense. Henry is surely exemplifying the qualities of a winning import.
What's up with Allen Durham?
After hurdling the championship hump in the last Philippine Cup, Meralco decided to bring back three-time PBA Best Import Allen Durham. It felt like the reunion was primed for success, especially since the 36-year-old reinforcement also won a championship with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Japanese B-League. However, things haven't looked the same in the Bolts' first few assignments.
A far cry from his 28.4 points per game average in four previous conferences with Meralco, Durham has been limited to 14 points on 37% shooting. The alarming part was his struggles to finish inside the arc against Magnolia, where he shot just 31% (4-13 FG) from two-point range. Durham also had a low usage in their loss against TNT, with just nine attempts in 32 minutes.
Whether this is a sign of his age or just a rough patch as he adjusts to the league he last played in during the 2019 Governors' Cup, there should be discussions about how long of a leash Meralco will give him as they aim to continue their winning ways.
Can Rey Nambatac become a consistent scorer for TNT?
When the TNT Tropang Giga captured the Governors' Cup last season, Mikey Williams' scoring production was the X-factor that helped them withstand Justin Brownlee and Ginebra, and helped him win Finals MVP honors. To defend their crown, TNT needed someone to fill that scoring void.
Acquiring Rey Nambatac was necessary after the Tropang Giga's early quarterfinals exit in the last conference, as they needed to bolster their guard play. Right on point, the former Letran guard has shown the ability to help TNT in the scoring department, posting numbers of 14.5 points on 53/50/81 splits. Nambatac's skill set fits perfectly with the team because he remains effective even as a moving target on offense.
Replicating what Williams provided for TNT isn't impossible, but it's going to be challenging considering Williams' caliber. For now, Nambatac has shown the capability to cover a significant portion of the missing output.
Is William Navarro back on track?
Before sustaining an ACL injury, William Navarro was playing at such a high level that he could be considered one of the best upcoming wings in the PBA. Unfortunately, his development was hampered, and his playing time dwindled once he returned.
With the emergence of players occupying the same position as Navarro, it became a struggle for him to get his rhythm in the Philippine Cup, posting much lower numbers (9.2 points on 35/26/66 splits) in his first conference with NorthPort.
But Navarro just needed an opportunity to show his wares, and it came in the Batang Pier's latest win over Terrafirma. Navarro tallied 31 points on an efficient 66.7% shooting from the field, including three triples.
The hope is that Navarro stays healthy for the whole conference. This type of offensive explosion is not surprising and could be the start of something special. Partnered with his adept defensive skills, Navarro can certainly produce music together with Arvin Tolentino in the wing position to lead NorthPort back to the PBA playoffs.
Jerrick Ahanmisi: PBA's best 4-point shooter?
A quick update on the 4-point line from all PBA teams in its first week of implementation: Teams have a combined 30-for-138 rate, which is about 21.7%. Among the locals, one player who stood out is Jerrick Ahanmisi of Magnolia.
In the Hotshots' game against Converge Ahanmisi scored 14 points on just six shots. He converted three 4-point plays in four attempts, showcasing his efficiency and ability to make high-impact plays. His performance not only energized the team but also highlighted his potential as a game-changer in critical moments.
Minutes on the floor have definitely increased for Ahanmisi, and those minutes will continue to be available if he consistently nails the specific job of being the floor spacer from 27 feet. If he maintains his threat from the 4-point line, he could become an indispensable asset for Magnolia.
Will Ginebra have enough to make the semifinals?
It's not yet time to panic for Ginebra after a loss to a strong Rain or Shine team. However, one aspect that is about to be highlighted is the lack of depth in the Gin Kings' lineup.
Even with the presence of Justin Brownlee, it's clear that this new version of Ginebra is still in the process of gelling together. It doesn't help that the team has to deal with injuries to Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray.
Some perspective to keep in mind: Brownlee has only lost one PBA Finals in the Governors' Cup and has reached at least the semifinals in every conference he has suited up for Ginebra. For this streak to continue, he'll need help from Scottie Thompson to become more active in scoring, and from newcomers Stephen Holt, Isaac Go, and RJ Abarrientos to quickly adapt to the triangle offense.