More than just Racal

RAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH
(Photo credit: PBA.Inquirer.net)

Do not get us wrong, the Alaska Aces' rookie small forward Kevin Racal has been downright awesome in their last two victories in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. From not being able to get any floor time to averaging 27 minutes in the two games that he as played, Racal has filled a much-needed role for the Aces in their championship bout versus the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

But it is not just Racal.

It is the entire team that has put in the work. Sure, newly-crowned Best Player of the Conference Calvin Abueva's numbers have risen (his rebounding numbers have grown in the last three games of the Finals), but it is the Aces' overall tenacity and commitment to playing with energy and focus that has helped them to force a 3-2 count in the Best of Seven series.

The question now is, can they force a 3-3- tie?


More importantly, can the Aces achieve a do-over of sorts, and go 3-4 to steal the series from RoS? A fate that they unfortunately experienced just last conference?

We think so.

The Aces have done more than just plug in Racal and increase Abueva and Banchero's usage rates. They have effectively snuffet out the RoS' chief offensive set which is the high ball screen to start.

Just in case you want to know what a high ball screen is, and why RoS uses it so damn effectively, click here. The team's chief ball handler/ scorers are Paul Lee and Jericho Cruz. The HBS is designed for both guys, since they are the most mobile. Jeff Chan, another scorer, usually likes to attack from the wings/ corners since he is not as quick/ gifted in breaking down his guy from the top of the key.

What the Aces have done to neutralize this HBS of Cruz is to simply have the help defender-- usually the lengthy Rob Dozier, follow him hard. Hard enough to make it tough for Cruz to make the exit pass. The ball simply dies with him.

Versus Lee is the tricky part in which we feel the Aces' teamwork is best shown. Because of Lee's craftiness, it is not as simple as putting Dozier in on him as the help. The other Aces rotate right away to whoever is closest to Lee or is in the talented guard's peripheral vision. While Lee will be able to find a way not to turn the ball over, a lot of precious time goes to waste which is a victory in itself for the Aces.

Stop RoS' 1st attack, rotate hard, and make them use the clock-- this is why the last 2 games' have been a bit low-scoring for RoS' part.

This is just one of the many adjustments that we have seen, since we would need more time to truly be able to break down Aces' head coach Alex Compton's genius defensive adjustments.

Now it is up to RoS coach Yeng Guiao to make the adjustments.

For Alaska to win:

- keep the scoring low-- if not, the possessions longer for both sides
- get Dozier involved, maximize his speed and size
- more Racal please. How about Rome dela Rosa? Just keep the fresh legs coming!
- convince Dondon Hontiveros that he still has a couple of 3s left in the tank
- #letAbuevabeAbueva double technical, thrown out, flagrant 1 or not

For RoS to win:
- get Pierre Henderson Niles involved somehow, sure he's only good for 10 points and 10 rebounds a night, but his presence on the floor is big- literally and figuratively speaking
- maybe fight fire with fire and have Gabe Norwood, who we've seen play the 4 spot for RoS before, guard Abueva full time. Him and Jireh Ibanes.
- Cruz, Lee, Chan and Maverick Ahanmisi. Get them all rolling early. Lee can't co-exist with Cruz if he's asked to play PG. They can when there's a PG involved, usually Ahanmisi. But then Chan gets lost in that mix.

Who do you think will win Game 6?