PBA Commish Cup Semis: A different look

What was supposed to be a walk-in-the-park for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel ended up a nightmare that opened a can of worms no thanks to the ever-defiant Talk ‘n’ Text Tropang Texters.

Playing minus Gilas Pilipinas shoo-ins and resident superstars; PBA MVP Jimmy Alapag, Jared Dillinger and another former PBA MVP Kelly Williams, the Texters rallied around their trademark defense paired with some sweet shooting courtesy of new import, the smallest of the current lot, 6”5 Tony Mitchell.

Just when everyone with half a basketball brain thought that Ginebra would be able to unleash the full fury of their 7”0 monster Vernon Macklin, the Texters showed the locals could take care of business on their own. Ranidel de Ocampo was Macklin’s primary defender, but then came a barrage of Texters’ reserve big men in Rich Alvarez, John Ferriols and the ever-reliable Ali Peek (who’s coming off a back injury) not to mention the great adjustment made by Coach Norman Black.


Macklin found himself pushed, doubled and pretty much contained leaving the rest up to teammates Kerby Raymundo and L.A Tenorio who were pretty much having trouble getting free as well. And that’s where Black proves to be the biggest difference.

Last season’s Texters under Chot Reyes would probably still find ways to win in a scenario such as Game 3—but it would be more out of heart and pride. This season, with Black at the helm, the Texters simply put their hard hats on, made scoring the basket Mitchell’s concern and just played stingy, Pamboy Raymundo, Aaron Aban, Ryan Reyes chest-to-chest class defense.

And as soon as the Texters were able to seize momentum courtesy of their defensive clout, the remaining superstars started coming out of their shells: Ranidel de Ocampo (15), Jayson Castro (15) and Larry Fonacier (20).

While injured Ginebra star and reigning PBA MVP Mark Caguioa was busy dropping F bombs on live television to fire up his teammates, Fonacier was dropping bombs of his own to further stretch the Texters’ lead in the late quarters.

We expect Ginebra to make the necessary adjustments come Game 4, Mac Baracael and Chris Ellis kept giving Mitchell space to shoot jumpers all day. We doubt the Texters’ import will get the same amount of daylight from here on out. A better match-up would probably be veterans Rudy Hatfield and Willy Wilson since they have the body to bang Mitchell.

It should also be noted though that the young import and NBA D-League Rookie of the Year was bothered with the physicality. Perhaps Ginebra can keep sticking Baracael on him to get into his head? Macklin needs to flex his muscles even more for Ginebra to make it to the next round. As much as fans clamor for Caguioa to return, he’d only stifle the team’s ball movement (which has opened up things for Tenorio, Raymundo and newcomer Josh Urbiztondo).