Author's note: Before we proceed, we would like to once again take this time to thank everyone who made the PBA Philippine Cup bubble. Sure, we made fun of certain teams and players on social media-- but that doesn't take away from how thankful we all are for being able to have something 'normal,' and how it took our minds away from this pandemic (if only for 3-5 hours a day).
So here we finally are. The PBA Philippine Cup (Bubble Season) Finals match-up pitting the Barangay Ginebra versus TNT Giga. The clear-cut favorites, going into the season following the injury to San Miguel Beer's living legend Junemar Fajardo which put a halt to their mighty romp.
On one side, you have last season's PBA Governor's Cup champions Ginebra which lost 7"0 slotman Greg Slaughter but ultimately gained another conference's worth of chemistry with ace guard Stanley Pringle. Where super scoring import Justin Brownlee left off, Pringle pretty much picked up together with new recruits veteran lefties Jared Dilligner and Jeffrei Chan.
In the off-season they added promising rookie Arvin Tolentino and during the bubble Coach Tim Cone made full use of his roster by giving extended minutes to his younger players which allowed back-up center Prince Caperal to showcase his wares.
Then there's the TNT Giga.
They added the man we dub as 'The Natural' in Ray Ray Parks, Jr. And followed it up by adding much-improved defensive big Poy Erram while giving away next to nothing.
We've seen a few pieces here and there, few predictions by other (some professional) writers and while we agree with some, we feel that when it comes down to crunch time and must-win games, the below-mentioned will be the deciding match-ups.
PG: L.A. Tenorio v Simon Enciso
Tenorio is older, slower, shorter and out-muscled. But he's also the league's Iron Man who has been Ginebra's starter for years despite standing just a shade below 5"9. The point guard position is still a thinking man's game, and while Enciso can knock down the occasional three pointer here and there, it's Tenorio and how he is able to set-up the table that will spell the difference in this series. Key here is to attack Tenorio, which isn't exactly Enciso's game (and for some reason, he's been Mark Dickel's guy at the point instead of simply going Castro-Pogoy-Parks or Castro-Reyes).
Tenorio is older, slower, shorter and out-muscled. But he's also the league's Iron Man who has been Ginebra's starter for years despite standing just a shade below 5"9. The point guard position is still a thinking man's game, and while Enciso can knock down the occasional three pointer here and there, it's Tenorio and how he is able to set-up the table that will spell the difference in this series. Key here is to attack Tenorio, which isn't exactly Enciso's game (and for some reason, he's been Mark Dickel's guy at the point instead of simply going Castro-Pogoy-Parks or Castro-Reyes).
Adv. Ginebra
SG: Stanley Pringle v Jayson Castro/ Roger Pogoy
Anything Castro can do, Pringle can do it better, with a little more hop step flavor added. Still, Castro remains to be TNT's default go-to-guy when they need to make a basket. He's this team's leader on the court, and where he goes, they usually follow. TNT has the luxury of moving Castro down to 1, and letting the more rugged Pogoy in at 2-3. This is going to be a test for Pringle, who pretty much had this way (when he wanted to) against Meralco's inexperienced and 'nicer' guards. Pogoy? He's not going to budge. Also, there's Kib Montalbo and Ryan Reyes to throw at Pringle just to keep him guessing. How's Jeffrei Chan doing? He'll be a big contributor here if he's healthy enough to play.
Anything Castro can do, Pringle can do it better, with a little more hop step flavor added. Still, Castro remains to be TNT's default go-to-guy when they need to make a basket. He's this team's leader on the court, and where he goes, they usually follow. TNT has the luxury of moving Castro down to 1, and letting the more rugged Pogoy in at 2-3. This is going to be a test for Pringle, who pretty much had this way (when he wanted to) against Meralco's inexperienced and 'nicer' guards. Pogoy? He's not going to budge. Also, there's Kib Montalbo and Ryan Reyes to throw at Pringle just to keep him guessing. How's Jeffrei Chan doing? He'll be a big contributor here if he's healthy enough to play.
Adv. TNT
SF: Scottie Thompson v Ray Ray Parks
Parks was simply AMAZING in the Phoenix series. That was his Jordan v Bad Boys moment. And he passed with flying colors. Now, he'll need to keep an eye on the pesky Thompson. Not because Thompson's a threat to score 30 a game, no, but because Thompson is the all-around guy who keeps the ball moving, rebounds, and basically fills up any gap in both Ginebra offense and defense. Honestly, I'm not so sure Ginebra has anyone on the roster who can keep in step with Parks. Arvin Tolentino's not it. Aljon Mariano has committed to playing the stretch 4 role. If someone can find the fountain of youth for Jarred Dillinger, then maybe they have the guy to put on Parks.
Parks was simply AMAZING in the Phoenix series. That was his Jordan v Bad Boys moment. And he passed with flying colors. Now, he'll need to keep an eye on the pesky Thompson. Not because Thompson's a threat to score 30 a game, no, but because Thompson is the all-around guy who keeps the ball moving, rebounds, and basically fills up any gap in both Ginebra offense and defense. Honestly, I'm not so sure Ginebra has anyone on the roster who can keep in step with Parks. Arvin Tolentino's not it. Aljon Mariano has committed to playing the stretch 4 role. If someone can find the fountain of youth for Jarred Dillinger, then maybe they have the guy to put on Parks.
Adv. TNT
PF: Japeth Aguilar v Troy Rosario
Other writers have Aguilar going up against Erram. But in my honest opinion, the better, more logical match-up to stop Aguilar is the quicker, more athletic Rosario. In all honesty, Rosario is still far from filling up Kelly Williams' shoes but he's a workhorse nevertheless. Now we'll see how much Aguilar has improved when matched-up with a guy who is built just like him. After Aguilar, there's Mariano, who I'm picking over Semerad, Carey or any of Rosario's chief back-ups.
Other writers have Aguilar going up against Erram. But in my honest opinion, the better, more logical match-up to stop Aguilar is the quicker, more athletic Rosario. In all honesty, Rosario is still far from filling up Kelly Williams' shoes but he's a workhorse nevertheless. Now we'll see how much Aguilar has improved when matched-up with a guy who is built just like him. After Aguilar, there's Mariano, who I'm picking over Semerad, Carey or any of Rosario's chief back-ups.
Adv. Ginebra
C: Joe DeVance v Poy Erram
You say Prince Caperal, but I say when the chips are down and Coach Tim needs a big-- JDV is still the guy for him. His experience, court vision and all the other intangibles will prove to be the key to Ginebra unlocking TNT's vaunted defense which has effectively shut down Alaska's much improved frontline and Phoenix' gunners.
You say Prince Caperal, but I say when the chips are down and Coach Tim needs a big-- JDV is still the guy for him. His experience, court vision and all the other intangibles will prove to be the key to Ginebra unlocking TNT's vaunted defense which has effectively shut down Alaska's much improved frontline and Phoenix' gunners.
Adv. Ginebra
X-factor: Joe DeVance (Ginebra), Jay Washington(TNT)
Definitely loving this retro match-up for sure.
Prediction:
My gut says Ginebra, but their inconsistencies in the Meralco game, their lack of perimeter defenders (which is big considering Meralco doesn't really have elite scorers!), well, I'm leaning towards a brilliant defensive outing from TNT. And Ray Ray Parks Jr. as Finals MVP.
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