Latest PBA Standings Update Reveals Surprising Shifts in Team Rankings

Walking into the practice gym that morning, I could already feel the shift in the air—the kind of energy you only get when multiple star players share the same floor. Scottie Thompson was running drills with that familiar intensity, while RJ Abarrientos showed flashes of the playmaking that’s turning heads this season. Alongside them, Troy Rosario, Jamie Malonzo, and Japeth Aguilar moved through sets with a cohesion that suggests their teams might be gelling faster than we anticipated. CJ Perez, explosive as ever, traded baskets with Chris Newsome in what looked like a preview of playoff-level matchups. And in the corners, Carl Tamayo and Dwight Ramos worked quietly but purposefully. Seeing them all together, I couldn’t help but think: the PBA standings are in for a shake-up.

Now, if you’ve been following the league as closely as I have, you know standings don’t lie—but they don’t always tell the whole story, either. Teams that looked like surefire title contenders just a month ago are suddenly looking vulnerable, while squads that flew under the radar are stacking wins. Take Ginebra, for instance. With Scottie Thompson back in rhythm and Japeth Aguilar dominating the paint, they’ve climbed from fifth to second in the last three weeks. That’s no small feat in a conference where every game matters. On the other hand, teams like TNT, who I personally expected to dominate, have slipped. They’ve dropped four of their last six games, and seeing Troy Rosario and Jamie Malonzo grinding in practice tells me they’re feeling the pressure. Sometimes, it’s not just about talent—it’s about timing, chemistry, and maybe a little luck.

Let’s talk about surprises, because this season has delivered plenty. The rise of teams anchored by younger talents like RJ Abarrientos and Carl Tamayo has been one of my favorite storylines. Abarrientos, in particular, has been a revelation. His team has jumped three spots in the standings, and I’d argue he’s a big reason why. They’ve won seven of their last ten, and if they keep this up, they could break into the top four sooner than anyone predicted. Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos, though less flashy, brings a steadiness that’s clearly paying off—his squad’s defensive rating improved by nearly 12% since he returned from injury. These aren’t just numbers; they’re proof that the league’s balance of power is tilting toward a new generation.

Of course, not every shift is upward. Some teams I had high hopes for—like the one featuring CJ Perez and Chris Newsome—have struggled to find consistency. Perez is putting up stellar individual stats, no doubt: he’s averaging around 24 points per game, but turnovers at critical moments have cost them at least two close matches. Newsome, ever the leader, is doing his part, yet their defense has slipped to ninth in the league. Watching them go at each other in practice, I saw the hunger, but hunger alone doesn’t win games if the system isn’t tight. I still believe they can turn it around, but they’ll need to tighten up fast—the mid-season mark is approaching, and every loss stings a bit more from here on out.

What does all this mean for the playoffs? Well, if the current trends hold, we could see a postseason that’s wide open. The usual suspects are still in the mix, but the gaps are narrowing. Teams that invested in youth and versatility, like the ones developing Tamayo and Ramos, are reaping the rewards now. Others relying on veteran savvy might need to adjust their rotations. From where I stand, this could be one of the most unpredictable finishes in recent PBA history. The practice floor gave me a glimpse of the hunger—now it’s up to these players to translate that into wins. One thing’s for sure: I’ll be watching every game, because this season, anything can happen.