PBA GovCup Semis: Petron vs Rain or Shine

Which Gilas player will shine
brightest this series?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With all the PBA Governor's Cup 2013 title favorites able to make short-work of their playoff assignments (save for San Mig Coffee), let's move on to the semifinals and take a look at how the match-ups will unfold. First up are the league-leading Petron Blaze Boosters versus the defending champs, the Rain or Shine Elastopainters:

PG: Alex Cabagnot/ Chico Lanete vs Paul Lee/ Chris Tiu/ Jonathan Uyloan/ TY Tang

Perhaps the only chink in this rejuvenated and re-fueled Petron Blaze attack in this semifinals match-up is the guard position, wherein Rain or Shine's knack of playing about four (even five) guys at the point guard spot can easily disrupt the opposing team's scouting report. Cabagnot will put up the stats given the minutes, but this match-up will depend on what we'll see from reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee.  If Lee comes in with the mindset to attack, Cabagnot will be on the defensive and Petron might need to dust off little-used defensive hound Denok Miranda. Tiu, Uyloan and Tang can all stay in front of Lanete and put up points.

Adv. Rain or Shine
Just confirmed news that Paul Lee is out for 3 weeks with a muscle tear. Shit just got harder for Rain or Shine. Petron with obvious advantage now at PG spot.

SG: Ronald Tubid/ Chris Lutz vs Jeffrei Chan/ Ryan Arana

We've been seeing a lot of "main man" potential from Lutz this conference (it's pretty much become a "your turn *Lassiter*, my turn" deal) and he has arguably become Petron's most efficient and dependable player on the floor. On the flip side, Rain or Shine can ill afford to wait for their hotshot Chan to find his range (he's been really off this season). Arana will have his hands full with Lutz, but it's going to be crazy-interesting on how he plays versus a guy who is pretty much a more showbiz-version of himself in Tubid. Our prediction? Chan will have a game or two, but Lutz' consistency will prove to be just what Petron needs to win the series.

Adv. Petron

SF: Arwind Santos/ Marcio Lassiter vs Gabe Norwood/ Ronnie Matias/ Jireh Ybanes

Forget the misplaced PBA Most Valuable Player talk for Santos, right now Petron needs Santos to be efficient on the floor. Right now, Petron's running on all cylinders that they don't really need a Herculean one-man effort from Santos. Just keep guys in check, help clog the paint and protect the wings. For Rain or Shine, Norwood needs to do more and be a presence offensively so guys can't help out off him. If he's simply going through the motions and looking to move the ball without even putting up a shot, Santos/ Lassiter can just sag off the guy (as long as he's not anywhere near the paint) and do whatever. Lassiter is another trump card for Petron that Norwood needs to lock-up. Matias will prove too slow versus the curly-haired wingman in this match-up, might need to call on captain Jireh Ybanes.

Adv. Petron

PF: Elijah Millsap vs Arizona Reid/ Larry Rodriguez

As much as we love Reid's hustle and effort, Millsap is just a beast on the floor. He can play finesse, he can play with force. He can run the floor with great ease and is pretty much as NBA-level as you can get. Reid on the other hand has his limitations and is more of a blue collar, inside operator with a jumpshot. He can't break defenders down off the dribble like Millsap, and this will allow Petron to double him quick.

Adv. Petron

C: Junemar Fajardo/ Doug Kramer vs Beau Belga/ JayR Quinahan/ Jervy Cruz

Height is might in the PBA and this will turn ugly quick. When the two teams first squared off this conference there was an obvious effort within Rain or Shine to allow Belga to work on Fajardo one-on-one. While everyone thought that school looked to be in session, Fajardo held his ground and just wouldn't bite on any of Belga's patented shot fakes. Yung tipong naunang tumalong ung baby fat at naiwan na sa ere by 1.3 mm ung mga utong ni Belga pero planted pa din ung paa ni Belga-- pero hindi pa din kumagat si Fajardo. With Kramer in tow, Petron can play Rain or Shine's rough and tough game with relative ease. For Rain or Shine to win, their bigs need to be craftier than ever.

Adv. Petron

We're Rain or Shine homers here through and through, but there's just no denying that now's the time for Petron and it looks like everyone's on board.

Prediction: Petron in 4