Mission Impossible? Which team will beat Talk N Text in the Gov's Cup Finals

While we let our stat and theory happy brethren solve the conundrum that is the ongoing PBA Governor's Cup, let's move on to a more interesting topic. Say, of the three-four teams left in contention, who can beat the seemingly almighty Talk N Text Tropang Texters?

Alaska (8-5)
They have the coach and the system. But do they have enough firepower and defensive will to withstand the TNT juggernaut?

I seriously doubt it. With L.A. Tenorio, who serves as the team's barometer, and Cyrus Baguio both bothered by injuries, the Aces just don't have enough to hang with the Texters. Yes, they can probably win a game or two over TNT, but I don't see Bonbon Custodio ever recovering his old UE Warriors form or expect a 1996 Marlou Aquino-like performance from their troika of post players in Sonny Thoss, Samigue Eman or JayR Reyes. Right now, the only thing that has kept Alaska afloat is import Jason Forte, who more than makes up for the lack of scoring options. This is where losing Joe DeVance (even if he settles for one too many threes) comes in to haunt the Tim Cone-coached squad.

Petron (7-5)
On paper, they have the tools to match TNT man for man. Throw Arwind Santos on Kelly Williams, Danny Ildefonso/Rabah Al Husaaini on Ali Peek and Harvey Carey and maybe dust off a Denok Miranda (no chance) and sic him on Ryan Reyes/ Larry Fonacier to keep TNT's sharpshooters in check and hope that Alex Cabagnot doesn't get his ass handed to him by Jason Castro or Jimmy Alapag. Oh, and if ever Noynoy Baclao makes a cameo, he can be asked to check Williams or even Ranidel de Ocampo.

The problem doesn't lie in the players for Petron. It lies with the coach, Ato Agustin.

See, one or two championships in the amateurs doesn't translate into gold in the pros. And San Miguel/ Petron's successful season can be attributed more to their fantastic roster, rather than plays drawn up by Agustin and the PB coaching staff.

If they ever face in the finals, Agustin will once again be schooled by the wily and ever so fashionable Chot Reyes.

Ginebra (7-5)
They have the guards to hang with TNT. They have the firepower, defensive grit and the magic of playing to the undying cheers of the crowd.

What they don't have, are bigs who can score in the post and protect it as well. Eric Menk is good for a few vintage plays here and there, but nothing more. Rico Villanueva, as powerful and bullish as he is, hasn't improved since leaving Ateneo (relying heavily on bulldozing his way to the hoop, instead of fancy footwork. Think Shaq in 1995 when he was schooled by Hakeem Olajuwon). Also, the trade for Nino Canaleta doesn't really give them a wing in the elite levels of Williams, Santos or Washington.

Too bad really, because earlier in the conference when they had a superb PG of an import, I believed that this team could finally solve the TNT puzzle by fielding in a bevy of snipers all at once without sacrificing anything on the defensive end (i.e. Stinson, Caguioa, Wilson, Tubid, Menk).

Rain or Shine (6-6)
Much like last conference, the Elastopainters had the best import on the field, but failed to capitalize on it. Again, we saw lackluster plays and half-assed efforts on the court. Again, we saw players turn superstar one day, and wallflower the next. Is it because of Yeng Guiao? Are they being cheated as he claims? Is there a conspiracy in the PBA?

Who knows, who cares?

What I do know is that RoS BEAT TNT twice this conference. And it wasn't as if TNT was taking games off against a lesser opponent, they were just being outplayed and outsmarted by Guiao's gallery of rogues. From Ronjay Buenafe (who plays well versus good teams, bad versus bad ones), Beau Belga (same) to flashy Gabe Norwood, everyone was pitching in much to TNT's dismay.

Only problem here is, after last night's defeat to Alaska, who knows if they can even MAKE the Finals.