Off the bench

There are four players averaging in double figure points without starting a single game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, proving that coming off the bench is just as critical a role as being in the first five. Starting strong is important but finishing stronger is more important.

Take San Miguel Beer’s Terrence Romeo. He’s hitting at a 15.4 clip and averaging 19.6 minutes. Romeo, Jeron Teng, Rodney Brondial, Troy Mallilin and Kyt Jimenez are the only Beermen who haven’t started this conference. Romeo hasn’t scored less than nine points and shot 28 in San Miguel’s OT loss to NLEX to open the season. Although he hasn’t started, Romeo plays a crucial role in coach Jorge Gallent’s scheme of things. When Romeo sat out four games, San Miguel went 2-2. Since his reactivation, San Miguel has won five straight.

Magnolia’s Mark Barroca is another double figure scorer with no start. He’s the Chicken Timplados’ leading local pointmaker, averaging 13.8 points and 27.5 minutes. A key Magnolia player who also hasn’t started is Calvin Abueva who’s averaging 8.0 points. Coach Chito Victolero’s second unit is as potent as his first and the continuity he generates from relievers is the fuel for a balanced attack.

NLEX’ Kevin Alas averaged 12 points in three games off the bench before suffering an ACL injury and TNT’s Roger Pogoy scored 11 points as a reliever in his first game from a layoff due to a heart issue. Phoenix’ RJ Jazul and Ricci Rivero also haven’t started yet they’re contributing significant numbers.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao doesn’t put a premium on starters and likes to rotate his pieces in the first group. Of 17 players, only Mac Belo hasn’t started. Andrei Caracut is the local with the most starts at seven of 11 games.

NLEX leads the league in most players who’ve seen action this conference with 23 and only Alas, Jhan Nermal, Michael Miranda, Jake Pascual, Dominick Fajardo, Hesed Gabo, Kent Salado and Clint Doliguez haven’t started. Converge has deployed 20 players with Keith Zaldivar, King Caralipio, Kamron Vigan-Fleming and Patrick Maagdenberg the only players without a start.

Excluding imports, the only players to score in double figures every game were Terrafirma’s Juami Tiongson, NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino, San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo and TNT’s Roger Pogoy.