It's Time to Stop talking about Mahindra as the "Manny Pacquiao Team"

Maybe it's time to stop linking Mahindra and this guy too much? (Photo Credit: GMA News Online)

I turned on the TV to watch the Alaska-Mahindra game. Part of it was because sir Mico Halili mentioned that the game between the two squads was bananas. Another reason was because I was pretty bored. But the main reason?

I wanted to see Manny Pacquiao match-up against The Beast Calvin Abueva. It was surely going to be entertaining, whether it be in a negative or positive manner.

Instead, what I saw was different. I saw James White score a pull-up jumper from the right corner to cut the lead to 3. Keith Agovida was seen from a distance doing things which you wouldn't expect him to do. Mike DiGregorio provided his own version of heroics down the line.

I didn't see Manny Pacquiao scoring any buckets. Instead, what I saw was a Mahindra team who wanted to prove that they were more than just the "Manny Pacquiao Team". They didn't just go ahead on a limb against Alaska and prove people wrong there and there. They've been proving people wrong the whole Governors' Cup.

To very few people's knowledge, Mahindra has been one of the best teams in the league statistically. In terms of Net Rating, they find themselves placed just behind Ginebra with a net of 7.0. The reason for this kind of production has been their offense, where they have an Offensive Rating of 108.9.

Mahindra is having themselves quite a ride thanks to their overall efficient
play. (Photo Credit: Inquirer.net)

They have been particularly efficient when it has come to scoring the basketball as well. Their eFG% is tops in the league with 54.8% of their baskets being made. To further take note of Mahindra's efficiency offensively, they're only 9th in terms of pace in the league with a number of 92.6. That means even though the Enforcers don't have as much possessions as other teams, they still get to score a ton of points thanks to their efficient play.

God knows whether or not Mahindra will be able to keep this up. What matters is what Mahindra is doing now. Nevermind that Barako Bull had a similar streak in the 2015 Governors' Cup. Linking them to things unnecessary simply fuels this team even more.

As Mahindra celebrated their victory against the Alaska Aces, what we see is a team ready to make its mark in the league.

It's time to stop underestimating this Mahindra team. They're no longer just the "Manny Pacquiao Team". They're the Mahindra Enforcers, and they're ready to get you. You better be ready.