Tim Cone, Denzel Bowles reward BMeg planet

Monster Bowles took over in OT

What a game!

It came down to a battle of attrition, with the BMeg Llamados fighting back to force overtime after the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters started falling down one after the other in the 4th quarter.

Import Donnel Harvey fouled out. James Yap-stopper Ryan Reyes hurt his knee on a drive. Ali Peek fouled out. Ranidel de Ocampo went down. Jimmy Alapag, who was playing like the reigning PBA MVP and was making up for lost time with an efficient and explosive scoring display, was suffering from cramps. Jayson Castro, injured ankles, knees, hamstrings and all, came back to play but it just wasn't enough in the end.


To make matters worse, the usually slick Coach Chot Reyes found himself without a timeout in the game's last 20 seconds wherein his team could've easily held on for the title-clinching win in regulation.

But the Llamados, with perhaps the biggest acquisition of all time in Hall of Fame Coach Tim Cone at hand, wouldn't be denied any longer.

The Llamados' high scoring duo struggled, but came through in the end

It was just a matter of time. We all knew it, Coach Cone always had a special group to begin with-- the only problem was trying to sort out the roster to get the right balance. Veterans Kerby Raymundo and Roger Yap were sent packing, the team was placed in the hands of 2x PBA MVP James Yap, and guys were brought in to play specific roles.

Yap was the franchise, Josh Urbiztondo and Mark Barroca as the point guards, Marc Pingris as the rebounding energy guy. JC Intal as the do-it-all Scottie Pippen in training. The building blocks were there, and in the Finals-- they all played their roles to the hilt to support Yap and their super import Denzel Bowles.

The game was ugly from the start, and though the Texters enjoyed a nine point lead mid-way in the fourth quarter, you could sense that this wasn't their game. A low scoring, grind-it-out style that is pretty much plastered on the Llamados' calling card.

So once Texters' import Harvey and Peek fouled out, the Texters were done for.

They were forced to scramble on defense, leaving Yap open and not having the height or muscle to even contend with the guy who pretty much gift wrapped the PBA Commissioner's Cup title to the Llamados franchise-- Bowles.

Coach Cone should also be credited for the Game 7 win, knowing when to send in the right players at the right time. Jonas Villanueva took over PG chores in OT and he did what he always does-- control the tempo, spread the floor and not look for his own numbers.

Another key contributor in the end was- surprise, surprise- Joe DeVance. A crucial putback and then another rebound to seal the deal. Coach Cone could've gone with Yancy de Ocampo, but he chose to stick with JDV who may not have the skills, but definitely has the IQ on the floor to always make the smart plays (which he did).

Also, PJ Simon should be given some love for coming up big and holding the fort while his buddy Yap was being kept in shackles by the Texters' Reyes. He played a solid game, not forcing it and just picking his spots on the floor.

Overall, this series proved the old adage true to this day: defense wins championships. And the Llamados' proved that though their offense stagnates from time to time, it's their D that won it all.

Oh, and they had a super, monstrous import in Bowles. Hats off.

P.S.

KUDOS to the KKS' Vince McMahon of the PBA. You know who he is. That dude won it for the Llamados the minute he signed Tim Cone. *Wink, wink*