PBA Philippine Cup Power Rankings: Unpredictable start to the conference

After three weeks of the Philippine Cup, every team has recorded at least one loss, with some teams establishing early rhythm and consistency while others struggle with shooting and defensive issues. Momentum is building, revealing which teams are contenders and which are still finding their footing. This week's power rankings assess team performances and areas for improvement.

TNT Tropang 5G (2-1) emphasizes three-point shooting in their offense, ranking second in three-point attempts with an average of 37.0 per game. Their success heavily depends on outside shooting, as shown in a win where they hit 20 triples at 46.5% and a loss where their percentage dropped to 30.3%, underscoring its importance to their system.

Magnolia Hotshots (2-1) have benefited from shifting veterans Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang to the bench under coach LA Tenorio, allowing younger players to start. Both veterans have excelled in their roles, with Sangalang scoring 21 points in a win and Barroca contributing 11 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in a loss, leveraging defensive focus on younger stars to make efficient impacts.

Meralco Bolts (3-2) are rediscovering their championship-level defense after a shaky start, holding opponents to 82.3 points per game in their last three outings. Despite early losses and a busy schedule, they've improved defensively, rising to fifth in the league with a 106.1 defensive rating, signaling a return to form.

Converge FiberXers (1-1) relied heavily on their five main players in a close game against TNT, sparking a fourth-quarter comeback that ultimately fell short. This highlights their dependence on key stars for performance.