PBA Philippine Cup 2014 Results: Latest Standings, Final Scores After Game 23
The 2014-15 Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) Philippine Cup is one of the largest basketball tournaments in Asia each year and the most important event on the league’s calendar.
The defending champions are the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers.
One aspect of the tournament that makes it more interesting is the fact that teams are not allowed to sign foreign players, making it one of the Philippines' most patriotic events as well.
Here are the latest standings and scores after Wednesday’s action.
| Alaska Aces | 4 | 0 | 1.00 | +4 |
| Barangay Ginebra San Miguel | 3 | 1 | 0.75 | +1 |
| Meralco Bolts | 3 | 1 | 0.75 | +1 |
| San Miguel Beermen | 3 | 1 | 0.75 | -1 |
| Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | 2 | 2 | 0.50 | +1 |
| Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 2 | 2 | 0.50 | -1 |
| NLEX Road Warriors | 2 | 2 | 0.50 | -1 |
| GlobalPort Batang Pier | 2 | 2 | 0.50 | +1 |
| Purefoods Star Hotshots | 1 | 2 | 0.33 | +1 |
| Kia Sorento | 1 | 3 | 0.25 | -3 |
| Barako Bull Energy | 0 | 3 | 0.00 | -3 |
| Blackwater Elite | 0 | 4 | 0.00 | -4 |
| 23 | Nov. 5 | Alaska Aces | 66 | San Miguel Beermen | 63 |
| 22 | Nov. 5 | Meralco Bolts | 90 | NLEX Road Warriors | 75 |
| 21 | Nov. 4 | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel | 100 | Blackwater Elite | 91 |
| 20 | Nov. 4 | GlobalPort Batang Pier | 84 | Kia Sorento | 79 |
| 19 | Nov. 2 | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | 99 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 76 |
| 18 | Nov. 2 | San Miguel Beermen | 103 | Barako Bull Energy Cola | 89 |
Breaking Down the Favorites Thus Far
The 2014 Philippine Cup is beginning to heat up, and the result has been stellar action on the court from many of the top teams.
The Alaska Aces are the cream of the crop right now. The tournament has entered the elimination round, and Alaska has brought its best to the table. With four straight wins to start the round (beating Purefoods Star, Talk 'N Text, Meralco and San Miguel), the Aces are ready to win the Philippine Cup.
What makes Alaska so dangerous is its smothering defensive scheme. The team has the scoring ability to keep any game close, but it's the Aces' ability to defend each position and outhustle their opponents that has made them so successful thus far.
The tournament isn't all about intense competition, though. Reporter Ryan Songalia witnessed an incredible moment featuring former NBA star Allen Iverson:
One team that is not getting enough credit is Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. The team took a tough loss to NLEX, but it also has three wins and boasts elite players such as Mac Baracael, Mark Caguioa and Greg Slaughter.
The 100-91 win over Blackwater gave Barangay Ginebra San Miguel a major confidence boost.
Another team that must be talked about is the Tropang Texters. The winners of four of the last six championships cannot be counted out. Talk 'N Text had a rough start to the tournament, but experience can't be taught.
With the Texters likely to make a run through the remainder of the tournament, the top of the standings will get crowded. The 2014 Philippine Cup is living up to the lofty expectations.
Stats and information via PBA.Inquirer.net.
