PBA GovCup Semis: San Mig Coffee vs Meralco

With Maliksi out, PJ Simon's
got buckets on mind
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With Game 1 already out of the way, things are looking mighty interesting between the San Mig Coffee Mixers and the Meralco Bolts. We breakdown the match-ups and take a look at the necessary adjustments we feel should be made if this series is to go the distance.

PG: Mark Barroca/ Alex Mallari vs Mike Cortez/ Chris Ross/ Chris Timberlake
In a nutshell, here's a token summary of how point guards are supposed to be: can play the half court, can run, be the designated bail-out scorer AND make game-changing stops every now and then. The Mixers' Barroca is steadily boosting his stock under the tutelage of assistant coach Johnny Abarrientos (and now also of Olsen Racela) while Mallari looks like he's found a niche in the pros as a "sparkplug" type. On the flipside, the Bolts have a troika of guards who also possess most of the above-mentioned qualifications save for one-- they can't shoot a lick. The Cortez acquisition gave them a heady floor general who can control the tempo, but it still didn't answer their need for another on-court offensive threat. Given the defensive nature of both teams, the point guard/s that can dictate the pace of the game will win it for his team—even if it means having to put their “scoring caps” on.

Adv. SMC


SG: PJ Simon vs Mario West/ Mac Cardona/ John Wilson
For now, we’ll dismiss Game 1 as a hoax in consideration of Mario West’s scoring prowess, the Mixers’ mind-blowing defensive philosophy and the Bolts’ failure to free their best offensive weapon with set plays. When the Bolts first considered bringing West back this conference, we all wondered if he was the guy that they needed given the names on the roster. They already have a proven scorer in Cardona plus two more who can shoot the ball with the best of them in Salvacion and Wilson. Did they really think that they could win with a Dribble Drive Motion Offense WITHOUT an anchor? The Alaska Aces and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel were wise in bringing along low post bangers for imports. Now we’re seeing the Bolts unable to compete with the Mixers because they chose to bring an import who’s about the same size as the average Filipino wingman and is one-dimensional at best (awesome scorer, but still just a scorer). West will turn in his usual numbers, but don’t look for 20-rebounds and 10-assists efforts from here on out.

Adv. Meralco

SF: James Yap/ Joe DeVance vs Jarred Dillinger/ Sunday Salvacion
What a revelation JDV has become for the Mixers! On a good day, JDV is arguably the most well rounded big man in the PBA (his end-to-end dribbling skills make him far superior to resident benchmark, Talk ‘n’ Text’s Ranidel de Ocampo). In this series, given all the player dynamics, JDV has all the chances in the world to turn himself into a bonafide superstar with his counterparts being too small/ too slow. Whatever Yap brings to the table now is irrelevant really as anyone can fill in the scoring gap (from Mallari to Simon to Barroca), it’s what JDV does with the basketball that’s really going to take the Mixers over the hump. That is of course until the Bolts decide to play him extremely physical—a ploy that JDV’s not exactly a big fan of.

Adv. SMC

PF: Marqus Blakely vs Cliff Hodge
Anyone else surprised with Hodge's explosive Game 1 performance? Not only did the Bolts' hard-working rookie shine on offense, he pretty much held his own against the Mixers' super import Blakely who was slowed down in the first half before finally flexing his muscles in the second. As long as Blakely takes his eyes off Hodge (since he's helping anchor the interior defense alongside Pingris), then the rim-rattling, floor-diving rookie should keep looking for his shot. Perhaps the Bolts could also explore bringing in some of their other guys (Noy Baclao's not THAT big a bust now is he? James Sena and Don Allado's also in there right?) to help man the pivot.

Adv. SMC

C: Marc Pingris/ Rafi Reavis vs Reynel Hugnatan/ JayR Reyes
If only Reyes were able to turn the X years of faith and investment given him by his coaches and management. What a joy it would've been to watch a guy who has the potential to be just as good as the guy the Bolts were long hoping to trade for this conference- Kerby Raymundo, only taller.  Well, that trade didn't push through so we're stuck with Hugnatan, under-sized Swiss army knife skillset and all, trying to do his best in getting rebounding position versus Pingris and Reavis. We are still waiting and wanting to know what the bright orange hell is up with Allado and why he hasn't been playing.

Adv. SMC

Well that was easy. The Bolts' over-achieved this conference by making it to the Semifinals. No shame there. The new pieces, plus the management's commitment in making them a contender, there's no where to go but up for the Bolts. As for the Mixers, they have a date with redemption.

Prediction: Mixers in 3 (or 5)