Ceasefire

From one hurting MVP to another

Who will benefit the most from the PBA All Star Break?

Anytime an "old" team can enjoy a day off or two, it's always a plus going into any series. While you can say that the same break allows younger teams to be even fresher, it actually hurts them more than it helps.

Younger teams tend to lose its overall focus and tenacity on the floor, susceptible to being rusty and just approaching the next game with either too much or little energy needed to compete. Any athlete would tell you that a day or two's rest would be enough in a long series because it allows them to stay sharp both mentally and physically.

But an old team that's been there and won it all? A team that's riddled with a malady of injuries and off-court issues?


The PBA All Star Break (which is a solid 10-day break mind you) will give the San Mig Coffee Mixers time to work on their issues. With their series with the young Alaska Aces tied at one game a piece, James Yap (although playing in the PBA All Star Game in Digos City) will get enough time to work on that ailing back of his. Star teammates PJ Simon, Joe DeVance and Marc Pingris will also have the luxury of getting plenty of sleep after pretty much playing extended minutes (as Mixers' head coach Tim Cone loves to do with his guys).

As we brace for a physical and intense Game 3 on May 8, Wednesday, the Mixers' will need every ounce of energy from their stars. This team, under Cone, has been a tad bit too soft (everyone except Pingris of course) when it comes to overcoming opponents that play physical (Rain or Shine, Talk 'n' Text and now Alaska).

Another team that is in the semifinals, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, also benefits from the break in the sense that it buys them ten more days to give injured superstar and reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa.

The high-scoring guard is reportedly rounding back into shape, obviously wanting to get right back into the swing of things if it meant helping Ginebra reaching the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. After his team demolished TNT in Game 1, they were bottled up in Game 2 and were in desperate need of a big time scorer with L.A. Tenorio being not as effective as he was the last three games for their team.

With Caguioa back, Ginebra will finally get to test just how improved their guard rotation is (offensively) with Tenorio and Josh Urbiztondo manning the point full-time.

Coming off the PBA All Star break, which teams do you feel have the advantage?