The Silent War Dream Match

Who's the #1 PG in the PBA?

Just for fun and since most of the teams are on hiatus save for the PBA GovCup finalists Rain or Shine and BMeg, this writer has always wanted to tackle a big "what if" scenario starring the country's two basketball powerhouses-- Team MVP and Team San Miguel.

While both have ransacked the league of major names in hopes of trumping the other-- to the point that they'd even hold out "sponsored" amateur players/ investments from entering the league if there was a possibility that he'd land on a non-Team MVP/SMC squad, both parties have been nothing short of exemplary in their conduct so far. Yes, there's "The Silent War," but that's pretty much it so far. Silent. Just a healthy game of business one-upsmanship and letting one team have its day in the limelight (MVP) while the other rebuilds (SMC).

Since we've been treated to two awesome basketball spectacles in a span of two years (SMART NBA All Stars vs PBA All Stars/ SMART Gilas and the PLDT All Stars vs the PBA 90s Hall of Famers), how about a match pitting Team SMC's best versus their Team MVP counterparts? For parity's sake, this should be held at the Ynares Center. Or even the Cuneta Astrodome. Hah.

First five:

PG Jimmy Alapag vs Alex Cabagnot

SG Jayson Castro vs Mark Caguioa

SF Jarred Dillinger vs James Yap

PF Kelly Williams vs Arwind Santos

C Ranidel de Ocampo vs Marc Pingris

Second five:

PG Ryan Reyes vs Jayjay Helterbrand

SG Sol Mercado vs Chris Lutz

SF Larry Fonacier vs Marcio Lassiter

PF Harvey Carey vs Jay Washington

C Asi Taulava vs Rico Villanueva

Reserves:

PG Chris Ross vs Josh Urbiztondo

SG Mac Cardona vs JC Intal

PF Reynel Hugnatan vs Rudy Hatfield

Who do you think would win in such a match-up? On first glance, Team SMC looks stacked with solid superstars at their positions while Team MVP has some holes in the 2nd five (Fonacier and Carey are solid, but not recognized elite players). The Castro vs Caguioa and Williams vs Santos match-ups are going to be interesting to watch, while Pingris will probably get under RDO's skin in several, heated skirmishes down low.

Now that we've put all the names down, it's rather unfortunate that Team SMC didn't allow their stars to suit up for the SMART Gilas men's national team. Blame it on The Silent War.