A tale of two semifinals

Surprise X-factor for Aces
(Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net)

You will have to excuse us at some point if we are unable to post entries about the must-see semifinals matches: Globalport vs Alaska and San Miguel vs Rain or Shine. How can we, when both series have proven to be quite riveting and entertaining thus far while also being played consecutively?

Hindi mo pa na-aabsorb yung nangyari dun sa isang series, maglalaro na yung sa kabila.

Honestly, we feel that they could space the games a bit more, by a day even. But then we understand that the PBA is probably rushing the schedule a bit to hopefully fit in their Gilas-related efforts. That being said, here are a few notes that we have taken from both match-ups.

Alaska vs Globalport

- Alaska will let Terrence Romeo have fun, because they recognize that when his shots are not falling he will force the action and alienate his teammates completely


- Stanley Pringle has been solid, but not stellar. The Aces have done a great job in neutralizing him to some degree, wary of his passing skills (basically, the difference between a threat like Romeo and Pringle is Romeo plays a lot like Takohiko Inoue's Slam Dunk's Rukawa, while Pringle is Sendo)

- Vic Manuel has been a monster. We thought his low post forays will hit a snag versus Globalport's traditional bigs, but this guy is an absolute beast.

- the "physicality" that they're talking about in this series, is more psy-war and fake tough guy posing than really hitting anyone with reckless abandon. No hard fouls. Just a lot of unnecessary antics which has so far favored Alaska and thrown Globalport into a complete mess

- Globalport needs to focus on the task at hand and just play basketball. They cannot beat Alaska in its own 'dirty' game, let the refs take care of that

- RJ Jazul loves his match-up with Romeo, much like Chris Banchero does with Pringle

- Jay Washington has returned. Kind of. But needs to do more being Globalport's only inside presence.

- Alex Compton has been straight out schooling Pido Jarencio in this series. His team has even forced the refs into looking at Romeo's dribbling patterns (lifting, traveling violations have been the norm for Romeo in this series, more than it has ever been the WHOLE Philippine Cup)

San Miguel vs Rain or Shine

RoS' young bucks aren't backing down
(Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net)

- Junemar Fajardo is doing too much. And Coach Leo Austria is to blame. He's been playing not just Fajardo, but his core of Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos and Marcio Lassiter close to 35-38 minutes a game this whole conference.

- That being said, now that he's trying to stretch his rotation a bit, it ruins their overall rhythm because the bench mob aren't that used to playing big minutes outside of Chris Ross

- Chris Lutz looks healthy, thank God

- Yancy de Ocampo has been useless so far

- Has SMB forgotten about Brian Heruela already? Could've sworn that's him on their bench so...

- Paul Lee is not in game shape to be chasing point guards on defense. Paul Lee is in game shape to be scoring on anyone.

- Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano, Jewel Ponferrada, Maverick Ahanmisi. Walang daga sa dibdib.

- When Lee is hot, Chan is cold. Vice versa

- Same as above, replace Lee with Lassiter and Chan with Lutz

- WHAT IF SMB PLAYED SMALL BALL and had Ross AND Cabagnot together? Lutz/ Lassiter/Tubid at 3, Santos AND Fajardo? This way, Cabagnot can play off the ball and mix up his outside shooting with slashing, Lassiter the safety 3 ball guy with Santos and Fajardo being Fajardo

- RoS needs to stay aggressive. The minute they stop making shots, it's over

- Heard that Raymond Almazan was hurt in practice heading into today's Game 3. Ayun na. Uwian na.