The Top 10 story lines in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Part 2

Author's note: Apologies for splitting the Top 10 list into two. We're not thinking about the hits (we don't have advertising at the moment. *tear* In case you're interested, send us an email or leave a comment with your contact details.), rather, the original format was hellaciously long. Enjoy.

5. #TeamAgeless

Fajardo vs Aguilar
Photo courtesy of Solar Sports Desk

Does Asi Taulava have it in him to lead the NLEX Road Warriors back to another darkhorse run? When will Jayjay Helterbrand buy into the "new school" and admit to himself that Ginebra's "Never Say Die" era is long dead and gone (because, on paper, when was the last time you looked at the Ginebra roster and thought that they wouldn't be a shoo in for at least a 4-5 seed each conference? The Magtulis-Calpito-Cabatu era comes to mind) Will Mark Caguioa ever learn to trust his younger teammates? And finally, when all is said and done, body of work versus body of work, will Jimmy Alapag rank higher than Johnny Abarrientos in the hearts and minds of the every day Filipino basketball fan?

4. The Japeth Aguilar Experiment
Because 18-18 in an opening day game doesn't make an Best Conference of the Player awardee, or even an MVP. What has he learned from Spain? Has he learned any thing at all? Have we given up on Aguilar? Not yet? Why? Which position on the floor does Aguilar really want to play in the PBA? Will he go in hiding again once the PBA's elite defenders rough him up? Or are we on the verge of seeing a transcendent talent finally rise and triumph after all the trials and tribulations?

Oh, and the #KagatSaFakeJapethWatch has officially started.


3. Stanley Pringle vs Terrence Romeo
Based on a game or two in the preseason, the two are able to play beautifully together. Two alpha males, going full throttle with one being a natural slasher and the other, a legit shooter/ scorer. No off court drama. No prized celebrity hogging the limelight for either one. No nothing. Why it never really worked between Romeo and old college buddy RR Garcia is not that hard to understand-- one wants to play in a controlled pace, the other just wants to keep attacking. Down the road however, we can't help but feel that Pringle and Romeo will clash at some point. Who will take the last shot? We can see Pringle orchestrating and being a willing passer, but will Romeo be happy with simply waiting for the ball instead of going one on one?

2. The Grand Slam II
Purefoods accomplished a historical feat last season by sweeping all three conference championships. They have two first fives, with the second arguably being a better defensive unit than the first. They have a system, and they kept their young team intact. It's funny how, during the Grand Slam season, Purefoods actually made some off the grid moves to make the roster even younger which should pay dividends going into the season. We already know that the Big 3 will always deliver. But now, you're looking into a full conference of Allein Maliksi back in full strength. Teams need to be at their very best to unseat the champs.

1. Junemar Fajardo, 2x PBA MVP
There is not a single doubt in our minds that Fajardo will simply pick up where he left off last season and dominate the field. Others will try their best to challenge the reigning PBA MVP, Japeth Aguilar looks (based on one game) like he's finally figured it out (fingers-crossed for all Ginebra fans) and one of those Gilas-trained boys will eventually make the jump to perennial MVP contender (knowing Coach Jong Uichico, expect him to showcase Jayson Castro *if healthy*). Still, given Fajardo's hunger for knowing the game and under a traditional big man's coach like Leo Austria, expect a lot from the 6"9