Yes, we did take a break, but also yes, action has resumed in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
And what action we witnessed, as several upstarts continued to challenge the status quo, even as the defending champions remain atop the standings. San Miguel Beermen, however, isn't the top team in the return of our power rankings.
1. NLEX Road Warriors (5-1)
If not for a sorry four-point loss to Terrafirma Dyip in its second game, NLEX would be leading the league -- yes, even over the Beermen. Still, here they are, ranking first in our weekly list after downing Magnolia Hotshots by 13 points for their fourth win in a row.
Robert Bolick continues to prove to be the biggest addition of the preseason, with a league-leading average of 29.5 points to go along with 7.2 assists and 5.8 rebounds. The Road Warriors are rampaging through the early part of the eliminations and have one destination in mind: a probable twice-to-beat advantage for the next round.
2. San Miguel Beermen (4-0)
You can make a case that the defending champions should actually be no. 1 -- and you may very well be right as they still haven't been beaten in four games.
We'll still stick to NLEX as our top team, however, but that won't take away from the fact that San Miguel ultimately remains the squad to beat. That's even truer after their takedown of Barangay Ginebra -- which, on paper, presented the toughest test to their fully loaded lineup.
3. NorthPort Batang Pier (4-1)
Just as the Road Warriors are rampaging, NorthPort is surging early on with three consecutive victories now, the most recent a 112-96 domination of TNT Tropang Giga.
Arvin Tolentino's star is shining even brighter as the driving force behind a well-oiled machine. There's still not a lot of 6-foot-5 guys in the Philippines who can average 24 points and close to two triples per game.
4. Terrafirma Dyip (4-3)
Terrafirma has always had a thing with upsetting traditional powerhouses.
Their big-time triumph over Ginebra the last time around keeps up that trend, while also hiking their impressive -- relative to their franchise history, of course -- early run to four wins in seven outings.
5. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-4)
Don't look now, but Yeng Guiao and his wards are one win away from going back to .500.
After dropping four in a row to commence the conference, Rain or Shine has seemingly turned the corner with three wins in a row, as they continue to adjust to life without former lead guard Rey Nambatac.
6. TNT Tropang Giga (3-3)
Coach Chot Reyes said that the "mighty TNT" is no more and they "cannot win games on talent."
That may well be true, but at the same time, he may very well also be correct in stating that the Tropang Giga learning to outwork and outhustle the competition will actually be a step in the right direction for them moving forward.
7. Meralco Bolts (3-4)
The rollercoaster continues to roll for Meralco which was sent crashing back to earth by TNT after back-to-back wins.
That's exactly why it remains an uphill climb for the Bolts if they are to contend in the All-Filipino conference where they've historically struggled.
8. Magnolia Hotshots (1-2)
Magnolia's early schedule has been far from the easiest, as it ran into white-hot NLEX right after a Manila Clasico.
Another tough test in the form of streaking NorthPort is up next, but a win there puts the Hotshots back on level ground ahead of matchups against three teams in the bottom half of the standings.
9. Barangay Ginebra (3-3)
Just like that, Ginebra stands at 3-3 after going 2-1 out of the gates.
It won't get any easier for the Gin Kings as faceoffs against NorthPort and TNT are sandwiched between trap games opposite Blackwater Bossing and Converge FiberXers.
10. Blackwater Bossing (3-3)
One of the league's feel-good stories has taken a turn for the worse, with Blackwater following up its 3-0 beginning blitz with three straight losses.
A murderer's row also awaits the Bossing with Ginebra, Magnolia, NorthPort and San Miguel up next. But who knows, Jeffrey Cariaso's crew may very well rediscover their early form and surprise all of us once more.
11. Phoenix Super LPG (1-4)
Phoenix is still yet to re-ignite its fiery flight from last conference, as back-to-back defeats came after what looked like a get-right win at Terrafirma's expense.
The Fuel Masters remain a tough out, however, even as their modest goal may very well shift to playing spoiler.
12. Converge FiberXers (0-6)
Another week, another loss, and Converge is now 0-6 in what is seemingly a lost conference.
Even worse, San Miguel, Ginebra and TNT are still awaiting them in the coming weeks, but not before a winnable game against second-to-the-last team Phoenix.