Motoring on

Revilla and now teammate Taha
(Photo credit: PBA.inquirer.net)

We will be the first ones to say that when Chito Victolero resigned as acting head coach (in lieu of head coach/ newly-elected Senator Manny Pacquiao), we readily expected the Enforcers to go back to their expansion team ways and maybe just look forward to next season's PBA Draft.

Chris Gavina, Victolero's replacement, is not having any of it. In the on-going PBA Governor's Cup, the Enforcers are currently lording it over with an unblemished 3 wins, 0 losses slate anchored on the steady play of import James White (39mpg 28ppg 13rpg) and locals Aldrech Ramos (29mpg 14ppg 3rpg), L.A. Revilla (31mpg 9ppg 6rpg 4apg) and Nino Canaleta (30mpg 11ppg 3rpg).


The team has been thriving on a more uptempo approach with Revilla simply picking apart defenses with his pinpoint passes that usually finds lengthy snipers Ramos and Canaleta. New recruit Paolo Taha has also been contributing on both ends of the court-- nothing fancy, just providing the little things needed to win. He is pretty much the big shooting guard that Revilla needs in terms of covering for him in the backcourt (owing to Revilla's small frame) on the switch. Back-up point guard John Pinto has also been pretty solid and is starting to earn Gavina's trust (Victolero didn't really go with Pinto as much as far as we remember).

Honestly, if the Enforcers play their cards right, they could very well be a rising sleeper a la Rain or Shine. Revilla, Pinto, Taha, Ramos and Bradwyn Guinto are all solid building blocks for a roster that could still enjoy high picks in the coming draft/s. The only question or concern here of course is if they can hold on to their assets as rumors of them being a closet farm team still linger.

How far do you think will the Enforcers go this conference? Can they knock down (and out) the favorites? Hit us up @kilikilishot on Twitter!