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| D for Denok. Pero pag kelangan, sa opensa naasahan |
While Chris Lutz continues to sit in the background thanks to the unforgiving TNT defense, familiar title picture worthy names are rising up to take the limelight. In Game 2, it was 2nd time daddy Joseph Yeo coming up with the firepower. Tonight, it's FEU's underrated yet best defensive point guard in recent memory Denok Miranda teaming up with long time buddy Arwind Santos.
And, while Alex Cabagnot struggled early, he managed to hit the biggest shot of 'em all- a ballsy three pointer to take back the lead after a TNT free throw with the game clock winding down that pretty much gave them a comfortable cushion to close the game out.
Credit has to go to Boosters' coach Ato Agustin for yet another brilliant display of "hugot" knowing when to put in players even if they're hurting (Danny Ildefonso was sent back in to finish the game despite suffering from cramps) because of the trust and relationship that they've built over the last four conferences. Ditto with Cabagnot, who didn't seem to mind being brought in and out of the playing court for situational purposes- plays on offense, sits on defense.
Honestly, this writer doesn't see how else TNT can win this series with arguably their most complete game yet. Alapag was doing his long range thing, Ali Peek was beastly, Ranidel de Ocampo played with about as much fire as you'll be able to squeeze out of him and guys like Larry Fonacier and Jarred Dillinger brought everything they had to the table.
Obviously, Jayson Castro is still hurt because of his limited lateral movements. Same with Ryan Reyes who was a step slower than Alex Cabagnot (again, I argue that when 100% healthy, Reyes is a close 2nd to Denok Miranda defensively). Hell, even Alapag looked slower (age and injuries) out on the court.
Maybe TNT coach Chot Reyes could consider bringing in Fonacier early, since outside of Reyes, he's their best perimeter defender. Arwind Santos broke out tonight, but Williams should be able to hold his own over the Boosters' MVP front runner.
Cabagnot? Right now, TNT doesn't have anyone to put in front of him and that's going to hurt (of the teams left, only Rain or Shine has the personel to challenge Captain Crunch because they can easily throw Ryan Arana/ Jireh Ybanez on him while their PG, Paul Lee, slides over to SG on D.)
Kudos to the whole TNT camp for downplaying it and just leaving it all out on the floor. And, while the series is still far from over, it's quite obvious that the healthier, hungrier and BIGGER team is going to close this series out quite possibly in 6.
P.S.
Quinito Henson should be banned from making any more monickers. This is 2011. Not 1996.
"Crunchman."
Really? Really?
Sigh.
bading si chot reyes, naninisi.. tapos pag nananalo sila, puri nya sarili nya.. BAKLITO CHOT
ReplyDeleteI'm so disappointed that both of the Boosters wins have been marred by nagging injuries to Ryan Reyes and Jayson Castro that didn't allow them to play at full-strength. It really makes me question the validity of these wins by the Boosters from this series and from the previous conference.
ReplyDeleteI don't get your posts, man. It's the fucking playoffs, everyone is dinged up. You can't keep on harping on the injury issues when both sides have key players who are injured or playing through injuries.
I'm curious because it's not so obvious to some of us, just exactly who IS the "healthier, hungrier and BIGGER" team?
Thanks for sharing mate, hope you'd leave your name and email next time though. By "healthier, hungrier and BIGGER" - I think it's quite obvious when you see TNT's Jayson Castro and Ryan Reyes (TNT's best guards TODAY- sorry Alapag fans) limping around the floor and unable to turn corners because of nagging injuries as compared to Alex Cabagnot, Joseph Yeo and Denok Miranda (sturdy as hell).
ReplyDeleteRanidel de Ocampo has some issues (health-wise and wherever his head is at) while Ali Peek's, walking miracle and all, is still getting his game shape back. On the other side of the fence, Rob Reyes is healthy and same with Danny Ildefonso.
Not one to make excuses for TNT (I'm not a fan since they robbed my Santa Lucia of KWill and RR and left nothing for Meralco), and taking nothing away from Petron (which is playing great basketball), but the difference remains the same: TNT is PLAYING with INJURED stars, PBB's injured guys aren't (Sharma, Al Husaini, Washington, Hontiveros) because they have more stars to call on.
All in all, it boils down to who has the deeper, more star-studded roster. After TNT's 4 star rotation (Castro, Alapag, Reyes, RDO), there's no one left at the elite level. PBB? They have about 8 guys who are borderline superstars/ champion players.
Great series still, and my money's on Petron if only to solidify Arwind Santos' run at the MVP title.
I guess we're just going to have to agree to disagree because you say that you don't make excuses for TNT yet you continue to do so for a team as loaded as TNT. I see TWO superstars in Cabagnot and Santos. As good as Lutz is, he's not quite there yet. If he's going to be a superstar, he has to become a decisive factor in the playoffs to get to that level. TNT continues to limit his effectiveness. Guys like Miranda and Ildefonso have the playoff experience with limited by age and athletic ability, both of which TNT has no shortage.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it, Chot Reyes has been outcoached three games in. Coaching has been the only edge Petron has over TNT so far.
We'll find out what happens in tonight's game to see if TNT adjusts to get the equalizer or Petron takes control of the series.
why there's a lot of side comments aginst petron when they are winning! tnt has a lot of talented players but petron's fans not leaving their team! akala kasi ng tnt sila magaling,sila ang malakas,eh nakahanap na sila ng katapat,at yan ang petron. this vinz the pharmacist,,go CRUNCH MAN!
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