Barangay Ginebra won its second straight 2021-22 PBA Governors' Cup title in April, but a compressed offseason that lasted just six weeks means they along with the rest of the league have prepared quickly for another grueling year.
The 2022-23 season -- set to tip off on June 5 -- will feature three conferences. We asked our experts Sid Ventura and Eros Villanueva to rank all 12 teams ahead of the start of the Philippine Cup. Ginebra and TNT Tropang Giga, winners of the two titles won last year, headline this list, but things can certainly change as another unpredictable season goes along. Let's jump right into it.
Statistics used in this piece are from advanced stats database "Stats by Ryan" on Tiebreaker Times.
1. Barangay Ginebra
Record in 2021-22: 20-16
Offensive rating: 105.3 (4th)
Defensive rating: 105.3 (9th)
The Gin Kings had a disappointing Philippine Cup campaign where they hobbled into the playoffs with a 4-7 record before crashing out of the quarterfinals. They rebounded nicely with a successful Governor's Cup title defense (that was delayed by over two years) on the backs of MVP contender Scottie Thompson and resident import Justin Brownlee.
Ginebra won't be immune to rocky stretches as evidenced in their first conference run. But a core that will be bolstered by Stanley Pringle's return and the addition of versatile scoring wing Jeremiah Gray, who was acquired through a lopsided trade, still makes this team the prohibitive favorites. Coach Tim Cone's squad had a neutral net rating last season, but a team that has a variety of offensive weapons and a history of above average defense over the past few seasons should put this team in a good spot moving forward. -- Villanueva
2. TNT Tropang Giga
Record in 2021-22: 26-11
Offensive rating: 105.1 (5th)
Defensive rating: 97.8 (1st)
The Tropang Giga, the defending Philippine Cup champions, didn't have first- or second-round picks in the last rookie draft but added Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Jaydee Tungcab to their roster. Tungcab played in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam where he was in and out of the lineup. TNT will lean on the core of Jayson Castro, Poy Erram, RR Pogoy, Ryan Reyes and Mikey Williams in its quest for their first back-to-back Philippine Cup title in nine years. -- Ventura
3. Magnolia Hotshots
Record in 2021-22: 27-14
Offensive rating: 106.2 (1st)
Defensive rating: 99.4 (3rd)
A team that usually relies on defense, Magnolia surprisingly trotted out the league's best offense thanks to a full and healthy season from Paul Lee, another strong year from the ever-reliable Calvin Abueva, the steadiness of Ian Sangalang, and career-best seasons in terms of efficiency from Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon. The challenge now is to replicate that output and translate them into results. Despite posting the league's best net rating, the Hotshots finished the season empty-handed after losing in the Philippine Cup Finals before being given the boot in the semifinals the following conference. -- Villanueva
4. San Miguel Beermen
Record in 2021-22: 19-13
Offensive rating: 105.3 (3rd)
Defensive rating: 103.5 (8th)
The Beermen haven't won a Philippine Cup title in three years -- a lifetime for them. SMB also didn't have any first- or second-round picks in the draft where they could have added some youth to an aging cast. Instead, San Miguel will enter Season 47 with Von Pessumal and CJ Perez as the only main rotation players below the age of 30. Still, having a healthy June Mar Fajardo is reason enough not to count out the many-time Philippine Cup champions. -- Ventura
5. NLEX Road Warriors
Record in 2021-22: 16-14
Offensive rating: 105.6 (2nd)
Defensive rating: 103.0 (7th)
So how long will Kiefer Ravena stick around? The 6-foot guard was slated to come back and play for NLEX after a highly-productive year with Shiga in the Japanese B.League, but it was reported that the Lakestars offered a new contract for next season. Having Ravena back at the point alongside Kevin Alas in the backcourt will certainly boost a tremendous Road Warriors offense that reached the Governors' Cup semifinals before running out of steam against eventual champion Ginebra. But his continued absence might not be enough for Coach Yeng Guiao's teams to overcome the proverbial hump -- that is, unless Calvin Oftana proves to be ahead of schedule in his current trajectory as a future star. -- Villanueva
6. Meralco Bolts
Record in 2021-22: 25-17
Offensive rating: 104.7 (6th)
Defensive rating: 102.5 (6th)
The Bolts are still searching for their first PBA title after falling to Ginebra in last season's Governors' Cup Finals. In the last Philippine Cup, Meralco posted a 9-2 elimination round record but lost to Magnolia in the semifinals in six games, leaving them still without a Philippine Cup finals appearance. The Bolts added free agent center Kyle Pascual to shore up their frontline rotation, but didn't sign any of the three rookies they picked in the draft. Worth watching will be Chris Newsome's continued ascent as one of the league's elite guards, and how Chris Banchero can now fully integrate himself into backcourt rotation with a full conference with the team now under his belt. -- Ventura
7. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Record in 2021-22: 9-15
Offensive rating: 96.1 (11th)
Defensive rating: 98.2 (2nd)
Offense was a again problem for a Rain or Shine squad that underperformed in its first season under new head coach Chris Gavina. Adding Ateneo winger Gian Mamuyac and his vastly improved offense at the 2 and 3 spots might help, but maybe only to a small degree. The defense, as usual, was tremendous and helped them hack out one quarterfinals appearance last season. This team should be better, but it's worth wondering if the Elasto Painters will be able to work their way up with one key piece: Javee Mocon. The 6-3 forward, already a defensive star that continues to polish his offense, might be on the way out of the franchise as both sides continue to struggle with his contract negotiations. -- Villanueva
8. Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
Record in 2021-22: 10-15
Offensive rating: 99.4 (9th)
Defensive rating: 105.7 (10th)
It was a disappointing Season 46 for the Fuel Masters, who failed to qualify for the playoffs in the Philippine Cup after posting a 4-7 record and lost by 39 points to Magnolia in their lone quarterfinal game in the Governors' Cup. Phoenix didn't have a first-round pick in the draft, but grabbed three quality players in the second round in Tyler Tio, Encho Serrano and Chris Lalata, all of whom were signed last week. Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins are still their two best players, and if veteran big man Sean Anthony can make a successful return from foot surgery, then the Fuel Masters could make some noise. Looming over the franchise, though, is Wright's impending free agency. The sharpshooter's current deal expires on August 31, and as of posting time both sides have not agreed to an extension. -- Ventura
9. Converge FiberXers
Record in 2021-22: 10-14
Offensive rating: 99.1 (10th)
Defensive rating: 101.0 (4th)
The PBA's newest franchise is still working out the kinks in the roster, but many old faces are back in the fold. Coach Jeff Cariaso returns with franchise star Jerong Teng, guards Mike DiGregorio, Mike Tolomia, RK Ilagan, Allyn Bulanadi, and Alec Stockton, as well as forward Kevin Racal and big man Ben Adamos. Rookies Jeo Ambohot from Letran and Justin Arana, selected at No. 3 and No. 4, are both much-needed additions that will inject size, youth, and talent to the frontline. Some struggles are expected, but a fresh start is always welcome. -- Villanueva
10. NorthPort Batang Pier
Record in 2021-22: 11-14
Offensive rating: 104.0 (7th)
Defensive rating: 101.7 (5th)
The Batang Pier finished fifth in the Philippine Cup and lost to San Miguel in the quarterfinals. They made a late run in the Governors' Cup but ultimately fell just short of a playoff spot. NorthPort picked up San Sebastian center JM Calma in the draft in an effort to bolster their frontline that still won't have free agent Greg Slaughter. Even at 40, Arwind Santos looks to have at least a couple more years left in him. But it is clear that this is Robert Bolick's team now, and the Batang Pier will go as far as the talented guard will take them. -- Ventura
11. Terrafirma Dyip
Record in 2021-22: 6-16
Offensive rating: 102.2 (8th)
Defensive rating: 110.1 (11th)
What's really the plan for the Dyip? Trading away No. 2 overall pick Jeremiah Gray to Ginebra for No. 8 selection Javi Gomez de Liaño and rarely-used guard Brian Enriquez was already a baffling decision. The franchise reportedly saying it wanted someone immediately available instead of Gray -- who continues to recover from an ACL tear -- makes it all the more bizarre when you consider that this roster has a long way to go before making a serious run at competing for, well, anything. At least some silver linings persist: Joshua Munzon looks like a bonafide future star, Juami Tiongson continues to expand his offense, while Ed Daquioag, Andreas Cahilig, and Aldrech Ramos all look like legitimate contributors. A healthy Alex Cabagnot should make Terrafirma competitive at times, but probably not enough to get them out of the lottery. -- Villanueva
12. Blackwater Bossing
Record in 2021-22: 1-21
Offensive rating: 94.8 (12th)
Defensive rating: 111.6 (12th)
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser will be a welcome addition to a team that won only one game in Season 46, and to borrow a phrase popularized in Diliman, there is really nowhere to go but up for a franchise that has posted a 5-39 record over the last four conferences. Ganuelas-Rosser was the big prize in the draft, and the Bossing were able to add two more serviceable rookie big men in Mark Dyke and Ato Ular. Another player to watch is shooter Rey Suerte, who joined the team mid-season and had a few notable performances before the Bossing went on another early vacation. -- Ventura