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| The Mighty Mouse and Dr. De Ocampo take the lead |
Not that we're counting out the Powerade Tigers, but there's just no chance in hell that TNT loses 4 games straight. Not with this team finally healthy on all fronts, not with Jimmy Alapag proving to his haters and those who doubted his MVP award because of an abysmal season ending performance that he still is the barometer for elite PGs in the land and definitely not with Ranidel de Ocampo playing like "Jun Limpot with a meaner post game and sharper elbows."
The game was there for the Tigers to take come 3rd quarter, the refs were letting them get away with a lot of heavy handed defensive tactics (seriously, keep your eyes on Gary David and you'll see him tuck, pull, grab and clinch at his man the whole game out while on the other end, fouls are sure to be called in his favor) while calling it tight against the Texters.
Come the 4th, the Tigers were still up and were playing with a lot of energy behind a great offensive showing from Sean Anthony. Problem was, whatever he put up on offense, he gave up on defense by leaking out too early (for gimmes) and not battling for rebounds (which was an oddity because he's usually in there grinding it out). As for the Texters, they finally decided to take advantage of the one truth that we all know.
Go to the Doctor and let him do his thing.
On three straight plays RDO beasted Sean Anthony with free throws to boot. This didn't give the Texters the lead outright, but it was enough to slow the game down, put the Tigers in early penalty and keep the Texters in the hunt.
The game was all but over in the Texters' favor save for that three pointer by JVee Casio which forced overtime. Why the referees didn't even bother to at least warn David for his excessive grabbing on Larry Fonacier is beyond me. This created the turnover that led to Casio's open, lean-in three to tie.
In overtime, Jayson Castro decided to take it strong to the rim. The Doctor went nuts with a three and some sweet moves in the paint before Alapag, the MVP, came in to seal the deal with crisp passes and by working the shotclock.
Credit should also go to Ryan Reyes for putting up another herculean effort, playing both on offense and defense. Fonacier also gets the nod from KKS for his brilliant play and for forcing David to work on defense as well (Fonacier wasn't settling for jumpers this time around and was trying to take David off the dribble).
Come 4th quarter, Marcio Lassiter didn't seem to have enough legs. Casio was limping from time to time and David was Nelson Asaytono-ing his way to try and salvage a win. Great effort and heart, but all for nothing.
In the end, the Texters are winning behind their superior firepower and class A coaching.
PS
Who knows, perhaps the Powerade "Gilas" Tigers (Casio-Lassiter-Charles Tiu) will consider replacing coach Bo Perasol with Rajko Toroman (who doesn't seem to be on the re-signing block with SMART Gilas/ Team MVP)?
love your articles.. becoming a fan pow because of the strong play of lassiter,casio,anthony and kramer.. david is david but para syang si james yap sa depensa ngayong finals letting fonacier to score..funny how coachot was trying to call a TO but was ignored by the Dr. then pass it to the mighty mouse for 3!! and then goes BO PERASOL, not calling a TO after that 3.. then inserted anthony who has 5 fouls on defense, tnt goes to the Dr and schooled anthony for a foul.. the refs (gary holding larry) and Jayvee Casio saves BO PERASOL's coaching.. Destiny?! BMEG has discipline, familiarity but in a new system, ROS for all coach yeng brilliance was undiscplined but TNT has it all, discipline, familiarity and championship composure..
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