BMeg vs Talk 'n' Text: The match-ups

BMeg's dilemma: Castro can guard Yap.
But Yap can't guard Castro

What an amazing ride to the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals!

Kudos to all the players, the Barako Bull Energy and Barangay Ginebra Kings for putting up entertaining bouts day in and day out. The ball could've easily gone either way in some of the games, but at day's end, we are finally being treated to the Finals showdown that was pretty much inevitable.

The Dynasty (in the making pa ba yun sa dami ng titulo nila the last 2-3 years) versus the team that is building its way into becoming one. The Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters versus the B-Meg Llamados.


PG Josh Urbiztondo/ Mark Barroca/ Jonas Villanueva vs Jimmy Alapag/ Jayson Castro
It has finally dawned on us. The quick, long range threes. The swagger. The ballsy plays. Urbiztondo is trying to play exactly like reigning MVP Alapag only he doesn't have the passing skills to boot. Even if the Llamados keep rotating their guards, this is a one-sided match-up heavily favoring the Texters. Alapag is too savvy, Castro to quick, athletic and strong. The best chance the Llamados have is if their Urbiztondo-Barroca can hold their own early, before Villanueva checks in full time late to play lockdown D. If not, then you'll see Castro running around Urbiztondo and Barroca much like Meralco's Sol Mercado and even Ginebra's Mike Cortez did in the playoffs.

Adv. TNT


SG PJ Simon vs Ryan Reyes/ Larry Fonacier
Simon needs to make shots to even merit playing time versus this awesome yet under-rated SG combo of TNT's. The big thing here is, either Simon makes at least 15 points a game, or he gets cancelled out either by Reyes and Fonacier's scoring production, or by the duo's suffocating, elite-level perimeter defense. Take your pick. Either way, Simon's not winning this one.


Adv. TNT

SF James Yap vs Jarred Dillinger
Who does what more for his team? Well, right now, Yap looks to be the more well-rounded player given his impressive all around performance in the playoffs. He hasn't been scoring as much, but he is rebounding the ball, taking his time on the floor looking for cutters and more importantly, moving without the rock instead of just planting himself up top for an easy yet predictable isolation. Dillinger on the other hand looks like a firecracker on the court, always looking to score, always on his toes ready to drive to the hoop with a mission. This could be problematic for Yap who isn't exactly quick with his feet defensively. Fortunately for Yap, TNT doesn't preach one on one basketball no matter the obvious advantage, but anytime Dillinger looks to score, Yap will be hard-pressed to try and stop him from getting to the rim. This will be a telling factor in the series because it could either send Yap to the bench due to foul trouble, or Dillinger could breakout (FREE THE D!) and drop 20 points on drives and even dish out assists to his shooters.

Adv. BMeg. But only by an inch.

Saan gagamitin ni Cone si Ping?
Sa labas o sa ilalim?

PF Marc Pingris/ Joe DeVance vs Kelly Williams/ Ranidel de Ocampo
Somehow, this writer sees Pingris sliding down to SF. Hell, this writer sees Pingris sliding all the way down to guard Castro at the PG spot while everyone else buckles down to work (if Pingris isn't at the 4, then BMeg's bound to go big with either a Villanueva or Simon at PG). Problem is, if Pingris slides down to guard one of TNT's Three Mouse-keteers, who stops The Doctor Ranidel de Ocampo? JDV? Oh hell no. It's funny really, because JDV is pretty much the afro-wearing version of RDO only softer defensively. If The Doctor is on, then the Llamados are in deep trouble and might need to call on Kuya Yancy to keep him at bay. JDV won't do squat since he's only good for threes. TNT's ready for him, since they've dispatched the Barako Bull's Mick Pennisi- who at the very least plays defense. Oh, and just in case you forgot, Kelly Williams is a pretty damn solid former PBA MVP himself.

Adv. TNT

C Denzel Bowles vs Donnel Harvey/ Harvey Carey
Okay. I'm a Bowles-iever (believer). Didn't work? Oh well. But still, the guy has survived playing against a super import in Meralco's Earl Barron. Outhustled FIBA vet Jackson Vroman. And now finds himself matched-up against a 6"8 wingman masquerading as a center, hauling rebounds like crazy. You have to love Harvey's blue collar game, but this is the series that will definitely be the measuring stick if Bowles is worthy of being one of the youngest Best Import awardees ever. It's a contrast in style really, as Bowles has always been expected to be a contributor for BMeg while Harvey's strictly a rebounder first, scorer last. The way the BMeg roster looks, Bowles needs to step up big for them not to be swept since he's the only inside presence they have. Unfortunately for him, the Texters have a bunch of bigs ranging from the thick (Peek, Carey), athletic (Aguilar, Williams), long (Lao) and wily (read: magulang, RDO)

Adv. Tied.


X-factors: Jonas Villanueva (BMeg), Jarred Dillinger (TNT)

For the Llamados to really win, they need to dig down deep and be committed to rebounding the basketball. They're nowhere near the physical or rugged defenders as the Barako Bull Energy (which is the only team in recent memory that has really pushed the Texters to the brink despite a HEALTHY line-up), so they need to make up for it by slowing the tempo down and making sure that Josh Urbiztondo doesn't go for another one of his heat checks.

Rebounding. That's the key to the series. No rebounds, no rings-- that's what the great Pat Riley says. And that's going to be the deciding factor in this one.

The Llamados have the guys, yes, but they can't run like the Texters. This is where it really gets tricky.

Pingris is the Llamados' elite defender bar none. On a scale of 1 to 10, Pingris ranks a frenetic 20 while the closest best defender left on the roster is Jonas Villanueva at a 6. If Pingris cross matches and goes after Alapag (to stop the offense) or Castro (to stop the TNT onslaught) then that leaves them with Bowles and JDV as rebounders. Uh-oh. If Pingris stays down low, they'll get the boards, but he's bound to get in foul trouble whenever Ranidel de Ocampo strikes hot or Kelly Williams starts attacking the rim.

For the Texters to win, they need to only do what they do best- run. For the Llamados, they need to rebound the basketball and pray to God James Yap wakes up from his deep slumber and gives them 30 points a game.