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| Aguilar kontra Pingris, Ginebra vs San Mig Coffee |
Forgive us for not making any updates the last few days (and during the quarterfinals) because of this writer's daughter's birth (7.3 lbs, born last January 26, 2014!). That being said, you can always check out our PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals (and Quarterfinals) Preview on SolarSportsDesk.ph where we are graciously and generously provided some bandwidth to try our very best to sound as analytical as possible (please bear in mind that we are very happy to be part of the contributors line-up, meaning, we have some leeway to throw in some written jabs here and there while you, the reader, have all creative freedom to call us names and what not).
The most entertaining allegation would be that this writer is a "San Mig Coffee fan."
Without further adieu, we bring to you the "Top 10 2014 PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals Storylines:"
10. Tim Cone is on track to be the PBA's Ric Flair
The winningest coach in all of Philippine professional basketball is further cementing his place in Philippine basketball history which would pretty much vindicate his transfer from the Alaska franchise over to powerhouse (literally, figuratively and financially) San Mig Coffee. It took Cone 22 years to win 13 titles with Alaska, now he is on track for his 3rd title since his controversial transfer in 2011. If Cone and his Mixers should win it all, well, "Whooooooooooooo 16x!!!"
9. The Elastopainters vs Fajardo et. al.
Yeng Guiao and the Rain or Shine Elastopainters figured in a semifinals series with the Petron Blaze Boosters just last Governor's Cup. They were soundly swept with the Boosters' Junemar Fajardo rising and the Elastopainters unable to adjust their defense around Fajardo and his cohorts. Well, this time, the Elastopainters are up 2-0 and appear to have scouted the Boosters thoroughly. Guiao's boys still run and are rugged, but now they are also mindful of ganging up on Fajardo and going after every rebound first before anyone even thinks of leaking out for a gimme. Right now, Fajardo is doing his very best to win games for his team-- how his teammates respond around him is another matter.
8. The Battle for the Best Point Guard Today
With all respect to the eliminated Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters' FIBA Asia hailed Best PG Jayson Castro (which, in all honestly, is questionable for us since he played more like an attack combo than PG like Iran's Suits stand-in but we'll take it), Ginebra versus San Mig Coffee is where the best are. Ginebra's L.A. Tenorio is the standard bearer for all PGs today with his smarts, scoring expertise and poise. The Mixers' Mark Barroca is slowly gaining ground as an elite player himself who could even surpass Tenorio at some point given his better defensive abilities (this one, Barroca has had since college-- back when he looked and played like a quicker, slimmer Denok Miranda) and the constant tutelage of Assistant Coaches Johnny Abarrientos AND Olsen Racela.
7. Aguilar Rising
Just how good is Aguilar? Is he a freak of nature, looking ever so dominant because of his natural abilities? Or is he really that good of a basketball player? In Game 1, he struggled against the Mixers "shorter" frontline of Marc Pingris, Joe DeVance and Ian Sanggalang. He looked normal. Pushed around and bullied at times. He's faster yes, but in grind-it-out games one can't simply rely on being able to jump higher than the next guy to get it done. For Ginebra to succeed, Aguilar needs to continue being a "larger than life" presence more so than rookie frontline partner Greg Slaughter. If Aguilar can figure out a way to drive to the hoop from the weak side and not attract whoever is helping on Slaughter, then he can look even more unstoppable for Ginebra.
6. Remember the name: Larry Rodriguez
Jervy Cruz had his run for the Elastopainters early this conference, posting near or constant double-doubles. Now, his team needs him to be a good trooper and sit on the bench while a more physical enforcer comes in to play defines on the Boosters' Fajardo. Two games in, and we've seen just how solid Rodriguez in when it comes to not giving an inch to a guy who is seven inches taller than he is. Former teammate Ronnie Matias had his run the last time they won a title when he turned into a James Yap stopper (alongside captain Jireh Ybanes). Now, it's Rodriguez' time to shine. If he can continue getting into Fajardo's head, it's going to be trouble for the Boosters.
5. Encore for Mark Caguioa?
While we have enjoyed a "renaissance" of sorts among "old" PBA centers, we are almost at the tail end of the "face" of Barangay Ginebra. The former PBA MVP has looked old in the games that he has actually played in (blame it on age and injuries) and if not for some key baskets or timely, force-fed assists c/o Tenorio, would be better off riding the bench so that Josh Urbiztondo and even rookie James Forrester could get some air time. There was a time when people would easily ride this Ginebra vs San Mig Coffee match-up as a Caguioa vs James Yap affair, but now, not so much. Though, we're all in for a "throwback" performance ala Manu Ginobli and Dwyane Wade's 2013 NBA Finals runs.
4. PJ Simon's Ascension
Simon is a bonafide PBA star. And if not for some misplaced PR slant by his previous coaches/ handlers, would've been an even bigger one had he simply STARTED games instead of coming off the bench right from the get go. This was the guy who won PBL MVP back in the day over now buddy Yap and some dude named Herkules. Now, he has once again risen to the occasion while his buddy "recovers" and taken on the role of hotshot scorer alongside Barroca and veteran Marc Pingris. With Ginebra not having a clear cut shooting guard who can play defense, Simon needs to continue delivering for the Mixers and putting pressure on Ginebra (Ginebra can counter by playing Mac Baracael and Chris Ellis/ Dylan Ababou together, but this messes their offensive sets somewhat as either are natural scorers).
3. The Top Three 2013 PBA Draft
We're still very high on the Mixers' Ian Sanggalang as being the most polished of the three rookie giants, but we feel for him since he's playing behind established frontline veterans. That being said, Ginebra's Greg Slaughter and Rain or Shine's Raymond Almazan are shining brightly in the Semifinals as pillars of the future for their respective teams. Slaughter is a presence for Ginebra, regardless if he is having a dominant or lazy evening. Almazan on the other hand, from his college "fighting" weight of 188 pounds to his now 200 pound frame, is just a joy to watch on defense. He is aggressive, has his wits about him at all times and covers so much ground because of his speed and length. We have a feeling that Slaughter, Almazan and Sanggalang will be the future of the PBA and even of Gilas Pilipinas (with Aguilar leading the way of course).
2. The Return of Petronovela
After looking like the "Next Big Thing" last Governor's Cup before being dismantled and deflated by Cone and the Mixers, the Boosters were supposed to redeem themselves this season. They have the pieces, made some minor adjustments to fit in role players instead of alphas and have won early. Now? They're down 0-2 and are being made to look like fools while guys who'd sit on the tail end of their bench like a TY Tang or Chris Tiu would cut to the rim for easy lay-ups. Secretly, this writer is rooting for the Boosters if only in a "Earned Not Given" kind of way. That they lost in the GovCup, learned from that and are now poised to win. There's still time to turn things around in the Semifinals, but only if...
1. The Reigning PBA MVP
... if this guy shows up. What? He's playing in the semifinals? 20 points and 17 rebounds the first game and 12 and 8 the second? You don't say.
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