SURPRISING everyone but themselves, the Mahindra Enforcers are on top of the standings of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
The Enforcers, led by hard-working import James White, did it by posting shock back-to-back upsets over favored teams Star Hotshots and GlobalPort Batang Pier.
The 22-year-old (he turns 23 on July 26) White belied his skinny frame by tallying 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds to power the Enforcers to a 100-92 overtime victory over the Hotshots last week.
The young Georgia Tech product was confident as he reassured Mahindra rookie coach Chris Gavina before the game that he would not allow him to lose his coaching debut.
White lived up to his promise with the Mahindra victory over Star. He scored on a follow-up dunk to send the game into overtime. Early in the extra period Mahindra point guard LA Revilla drilled a three-pointer. Veteran Aldrech Ramos then converted two charities as the Enforcers grabbed the early initiative to eventually prevail in overtime.
While White provided the energy and hustle the other Enforcers picked up the scoring slack. Ramos posted 17 markers. Asian import Iman Mashaddy Zandi, reportedly sick with flu, chipped in 15 points on five-of-five shooting from three-point distance. Paolo Taha and KG Canaleta each scored 10 points.
Just last Friday, July 22 the Enforcers tallied their best-ever start in a PBA conference when they beat the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 108-98, to climb into a tie at the top of the standings with their second consecutive victory.
GlobalPort import Dominique Sutton scored on a hook shoot to push GlobalPort within two points of the Mahindra lead, 94-92, with 3:20 to play. But the resolute Mahindra defense forced the Batang Pier to commit four turnovers in their next five possessions.
White then scored on a layup. Keith Agovida stole the ball then scooted in to convert his own layup. Zandi and then Ramos each drilled a three-pointer. White sealed the deal with two free throws to push the game beyond recall, 106-92, only seconds left to play.
White was even better than in his first game. He scored 28 points to go with 20 big rebounds. He again had plenty of local support. Ramos added 16 points. Revilla had 11 markers to go with the 10 of Taha.
Newly promoted coach Chris Gavina (officially assistant coach) should also get a lot of credit for Mahindra’s encouraging start.
The New Jersey-raised Gavina came to the Philippines to play in Liga Pilipinas. He then went on to become the strength and conditioning coach of the Philippine Patriots before assuming the same job with the Enforcers.
Gavina has so far proven skeptics wrong with the impressive start of the Enforcers. He has the Enforcers working hard at the defensive end and executing on offense.
Taha, Agovida, Mike Digregorio as well as point guards LA Revilla and Nard Pinto have youth on their side and have the legs to pressure on defense. Then they have veteran gunners in the hot-shooting Ramos, Canaleta and Zandi.
Probably the only chink in the armor of the Enforcers is size. Like most other PBA teams the Enforcers just have serviceable big men in Bradwyn Guinto, Jayson Ballesteros and PBA D-League standout Raymond Aguilar. But the Enforcers make up for their lack in size with their pressure defense and impeccable outside shooting on offense.
How long can the Enforcers stay on top? Up until the other teams figure out how to guard White and close out better on their perimeter shooters? Or maybe the Enforcers are for real and will actually make it to the playoffs.
Only time can tell, but I’m betting on the latter.