Asterisk

Should an asterisk really be placed on this 2015-2016 PBA Philippine Cup Finals? Because one of the many combatants is out with an injury? But isn't basketball a team sport won, lost and above all, played, by 5 men on the court and about 7 to 9 more on the bench?

As an Alaska Aces fan, why would you rob yourself of glory when it appears that fate itself is rewarding you for your efforts?

As a San Miguel Beermen fan, why would you discredit the 13-14 other men on the roster for all they have done this conference just because 2x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo is sidelined?

This is just how things turned out. It is quite a bitter pill to swallow (specially for SMB fans), but what can anyone do? Pretty sure that the Aces would want to face SMB both at full strength, but wouldn't it be a disservice to SMB if the Aces were to say "wala si Fajardo e, so walang kwenta sila kalaban." 

The Beermen are fighting. Their overall rhythm and flow is off, largely because their Coach Leo Austria has decided to put all of his offensive and defensive schemes in one basket (Fajardo), but to say that they are simply rolling over and dying is unjust and unfair. Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross have been delivering. Yancy de Ocampo enjoyed a quiet resurgence. Arwind Santos is, well, loat at trying to recover his old pre-Fajardo form. 

It just so happens that the Aces are playing on such a high level this conference. Before you forget, this team finished the elimination round first overall. Better than SMB, Rain or Shine and everyone else.

They weren't winning because Vic Manuel was posting Fajardo-like 30s and 20s. They weren't winning because Calvin Abueva was unleashed. They were winning simply because they have been working as a team- cohesively, with discipline and commitment. 

Even if Fajardo were involved, the Aces would probably still enjoy a series lead the way the SMB giant's probably near spent the way he had to carry his team vs RoS. Coach Alex Compton devised a masterful plan when they faced SMB in the eliminations, allowing the giant to dominate with Shaq-like numbers while holding everyone else down en route to a victory. 

They were THAT good.

Can SMB climb out of a 1-3 hole? Can the Aces end it in Game 5?

Let us not talk about who is not there, but celebrate those who are fighting on the court.

Basketball is and will always be a team sport.