2014 Philippine Cup Finals Reaction

Now it can be told.

This writer purposely and consciously refrained from updating this blog simply because we chose to be more fan than analyst. Though we provided some with our Finals Preview over at SolarSportsDesk.Ph, nothing beats just taking a step back and appreciating the beauty of the game-- specially when your team (Rain or Shine Elastopainters) is playing the PBA's "glamour boys" (San Mig Coffee Mixers).

It's good versus evil. The handsome hardcourt heartthrobs doing battle against the gillage (gilid of the village) goons The prince pitted against the pauper.

Going into the Finals, we weren't as sold on our chances as some other fans were. They were elated because they felt the Elastopainters had a legit shot at their head coach's, Yeng Guiao's, first-ever All Filipino championship after dominating the standings. We weren't sold because opposite Guiao is head coach Tim Cone and his quest to win "number 16."


See, we believe in Guiao's "no superstars" system and love that anyone and everyone has the green light to shoot as long as they put in the effort defensively. However, this approach comes at a very high cost: 1) risk your players being unable to get into any consistent rhythm during the game and 2)loss of overall team on court chemistry and momentum.

During the eliminations going into the playoffs, teams face off maybe once or twice-- so there's a lot of that "surprise" factor going in. But in a seven game series, against a mind like Cone's (that Guiao already "surprised" and beat in the 2012 Governor's Cup), surprises and spark plug players can only do so much.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

Cone and his Mixers weren't going to fall for it again. They spent the majority of 2012 going into 2014 adding young pieces to go with their formidable foursome of 2x PBA MVP James Yap, PJ Simon, Joe DeVance and Marc Pingris. Point guard Mark Barroca was developed from a lockdown one on one defender in college to an all around package arguably better than his more established, veteran peers. They took in the most PBA ready rookie in the 2013 Draft in Ian Sangalang. They have a guy named Alex Mallari on the bench just waiting to prove his worth and get his minutes (and don't get us started on Justin Melton).

So yeah, the Elastopainters were "deep" because Guiao played everyone.

The Mixers, they're deep because they're that damn good from guys one through eight.

And as close as the games were, it's almost like the Mixers always had an answer to every Elastopainter run or rally. We all thought that the Elastopainters had more stoppers going into the Finals with the likes of Jireh Ibanes, Ryan Arana, Raymond Almazan, JayR Quinahan, Larry Rodriguez and Gabe Norwood. But the Mixers' just took it to another level.

On defense, Pingris, Barroca and Rafi Reavis took it to another level and just out-hustled their counterparts.

On offense, they made the Elastopainters' prized offensive weapons- Jeff Chan and Paul Lee, prey to a bunch of hard and brush screens while also constantly being bullied in the paint by the bigger DeVance. Say what you will about how solid Lee looked when bigger guys couldn't post him up straight, but that takes a toll on your body no matter how great a player you are (and Lee isn't exactly in the best athletic shape).

So the Mixers took out Chan and Lee early. The Elastopainters scratched and clawed, but they were kept at a reasonable distance by the Mixers which enjoyed superb performances from their core guys all throughout the Finals.

Moving forward, the Elastopainters need to consider searching for a legit post up player.Someone who can command the double and be a consistent threat in the post. Jervy Cruz looked to be that guy, but he's not exactly tenacious on the boards (plus he's of "average" height for today's PBA power forward/ center standards)

The Mixers? They have the guys to win more titles. Exactly why Cone was brought in. We feel that the only way Cone's transfer from the Alaska camp to the Mixers can really be validated or cemented, is if he wins 13 or more titles with the Mixers.

Hell, he won 13 with Alaska with maybe the last few on a team that had "some" stars in it. Now he has a boat load of talent to keep on winning and making history.

And you know what, this team is also just waiting for a guy named Allein Maliksi to join in on the fun (before anyone forgets).

All in all, a great, competitive Finals. We wish that the Elastopainters showed some more fight defensively, but guys like Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood were taken out of the equation somewhere early like they didn't want to throw their weight (Belga's case) around.

The bullies got bullied and beat. Plain and simple.