PBA GovCup Finals: X-Factors

Uhm. Foul?

Now that the dust has settled somewhat and we're just waiting for the opening tip-off of the PBA Governor's Cup Finals match-up between the Rain or Shine Elastopainters and BMeg Llamados, here are the guys that this writer believes could steal a game or two for their respective teams.

The Llamados' tenacious power forward Marc Pingris is usually associated with lists such as this one, but now that he's been elevated to full-time PBA superstar status, let's move on to the guys who may or may not always be on the scouting report (or Quinito Henson's on-and-off "Dean's List").


BMeg Llamados


Yancy de Ocampo
The sweet-shooting yet somewhat rugged 6"9 slot man is going to play a huge role in this series. While de Ocampo often comes in to play as enforcer/ screen setter for his superstar teammates James Yap and PJ Simon, he has slowly but surely earned Coach Tim Cone's trust and even gets plays called for him from time to time. Given the Elastopainters' undersized frontline, there's no one standing in de Ocampo's way from plucking down rebounds or scoring at will but himself. The only problem really with the big man is that, like his brother Ranidel of Talk 'n' Text, you just can't rely on him to deliver night in and night out. Will Coach Tim take the chance and play de Ocampo big minutes this series? How will the big man react to the Elastopainters' Extra Rice Inc. and Kargador Corps' (Ronnie Matias, Larry Rodriguez and Jervy Cruz) physicality?

Jonas Villanueva

Why does Coach Tim make it so hard for us Brother Jonas fans to have our day in the sun? He chooses Josh Urbiztondo's streaky threes and Mac Barroca's speed over Villanueva's IQ, size and defensive skills. If you ask anyone with half a brain, they'd tell you that one on one, Villanueva's a slightly better defender than both of his PG peers. Yes, he's coming off of injury, but it's pretty clear that Coach Tim wants scoring from his PGs rather than a traditional one who creates scenarios rather than someone who runs his coach's plays to the "T". Still, given the fact that they're going to face the Elastopainters' "power point" Paul Lee, Villanueva may very well be that one guy who can keep the famed Angas ng Tondo in check. That, plus it allows teammates Simon and Yap some degree of freedom defensively since they're all of the same size an can switch assignments on the fly.

Rain or Shine Elastopainters

Jireh Ibanes
No, only a tool would expect the former proud Fighting Maroon to suddenly drop 20 points a night and  dish out 8 assists. Not that he can't do it, but that's not his job. Not what he's good at. If PBA players were to be required to hand out business cards, Gary David, Mark Caguioa and Jayson Castro all would have "Scorer" under position, Arwind Santos, Ryan Arana and Bitoy Omolon as "Stoppers"-- same as Ibanes. In this series, the Elastopainters boast of having both Arana and Ybanes in the fold to try and slow down the Llamados' Simon and Yap combo. Ibanes, who is a bit longer and athletic than Arana, will surely be asked to contain either of the two superstars in this series. If Ibanes can force either Yap or Simon to take 15 shots to score 15 points, then the tides will be in the Elastopainters' favor.


Kargador Corps
Okay, so this writer hasn't entirely given up on handing out monikers to some of our favorite players while the AKTV Center guys are busy gossiping and fooling around on the set. Matias, Rodriguez and Cruz-- undersized power forwards who may not have the gifts of a Pingris (height, speed and athleticism) but are all solid basketball players. Individually, these guys aren't as eye-popping or attractive to watch as Pingris, Jerwin Gaco, de Ocampo or Rafi Reavis. They all look like your everyday, street/half court ballers-- only they're 6"3-4 in height. What they all lack in flash, they have mountains of in substance. Expect one of these guys to win a game for the Elastopainters and wreak havoc inside. That, or they're going to foul the snot out of anyone who wants to bang in the paint.