PBA Commish Cup Semis: A different look

What was supposed to be a walk-in-the-park for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel ended up a nightmare that opened a can of worms no thanks to the ever-defiant Talk ‘n’ Text Tropang Texters.

Playing minus Gilas Pilipinas shoo-ins and resident superstars; PBA MVP Jimmy Alapag, Jared Dillinger and another former PBA MVP Kelly Williams, the Texters rallied around their trademark defense paired with some sweet shooting courtesy of new import, the smallest of the current lot, 6”5 Tony Mitchell.

Just when everyone with half a basketball brain thought that Ginebra would be able to unleash the full fury of their 7”0 monster Vernon Macklin, the Texters showed the locals could take care of business on their own. Ranidel de Ocampo was Macklin’s primary defender, but then came a barrage of Texters’ reserve big men in Rich Alvarez, John Ferriols and the ever-reliable Ali Peek (who’s coming off a back injury) not to mention the great adjustment made by Coach Norman Black.

Meralco finally beats Kuya

Ross' rising PG play is key

Meaning, the Meralco Bolts can now wake up in the morning, wash their faces, look in the mirror and say that yes, they finally have a victory over their big brothers in the PBA, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

An asterisk could be put on this opening day conquest though, with most of the Texters' starting unit inactive (Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Ryan Reyes, Harvey Carey and Kelly Williams) and the remaining guns like Ranidel de Ocampo, Jarred Dillinger and Ali Peek not at 100%. Whatever, this is basketball-- if you can suit up, then you can play as the greats would always say.

Tactical error

Can't win 'em all

Now that the smoke has cleared and the dust has settled somewhat, the losing part of last night’s epic PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 7—the  Talk ‘n’ Text Tropang Texters should keep their heads unbowed for putting up an awesome display of heart and fight.

They were ahead by nine points midway in the fourth quarter in a grind-it-out game they had no business in winning since it wasn’t their style. The overtime forcing free throws off a foul by Kelly Williams on B-Meg super import Denzel Bowles shouldn’t be taken against the former PBA Most Valuable Player.

Tim Cone, Denzel Bowles reward BMeg planet

Monster Bowles took over in OT

What a game!

It came down to a battle of attrition, with the BMeg Llamados fighting back to force overtime after the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters started falling down one after the other in the 4th quarter.

Import Donnel Harvey fouled out. James Yap-stopper Ryan Reyes hurt his knee on a drive. Ali Peek fouled out. Ranidel de Ocampo went down. Jimmy Alapag, who was playing like the reigning PBA MVP and was making up for lost time with an efficient and explosive scoring display, was suffering from cramps. Jayson Castro, injured ankles, knees, hamstrings and all, came back to play but it just wasn't enough in the end.

Play to win

Regardless of the conclusion of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals later on today, we've been treated to two conference's worth of prime time, premium basketball action. The players are literally leaving everything out on the floor and the fans, in turn, are responding to it by filling the venues, watching online and missing out on their favorite tele-novelas.

Both the BMeg Llamados and Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters have been fighting tooth and nail thus far, and the Finals MVP will surely be given to the individual who deserves it most (unlike some instances regarding the Season MVP wherein guys win via media votes and not by what they have done the whole season). That being said, here are the frontrunners (and maybe darkhorses) when it comes to the Finals MVP award.

And yes, KKS only recognizes locals and not the imports no matter how Godly they are on the floor. They don't need the added publicity or write-ups anyway right?

The nominees:

Yap Awakening

Size, speed and shooting: James Yap

Any time you are able to pair a solid, nay, good big man with an ever-improving All Star guard, chances are your team is bound to contend no matter the odds. Throw in a bunch of great role players led by this side of Asia's most tenacious forward and you may have just enough firepower to overcome and overthrow a dynasty.

In the pivotal Game 5, the B-Meg Llamados went to their 1-2 punch of 7"0 6"10, Best Import of the Conference, big man Denzel Bowles and the suddenly rejuvenated and reloaded guns of 2x PBA MVP James Carlos Yap. Scoring 28 and 30, respectively, Bowles and Yap were pretty much "superstar-ing" their way all over the hapless Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters who still cannot squeeze anything off trusted National vets Ranidel de Ocampo and reigning MVP Jimmy Alapag.

Texters load up; Series tied 2-2

You may hate the shirt, but you have
to love the multiple championships

Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters' head coach Chot Reyes does it again.

After throwing stars Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag under the bus in the post-game interview of their Game 3 loss, Coach Chot was able to make himself look like half a genius with RDO's solid bounce-back performance.

While Alapag continues to struggle with his cover of BMeg Llamados' Josh Urbiztondo and PJ Simon, RDO was able to play free tonight-- attacking the rim and not settling for jumpers. It also helped the Texters' cause that Jarred Dillinger decided to take over the game, as KKS predicted, and played lights out on offense and defense.

The PBA Pinoy Cup Finals: Talk N Text vs Powerade

After an exciting semifinals series that could've gone either way if a basket or two were only made, we're now being treated to a rather unexpected yet enthralling Finals match-up with league powerhouse and defending champions Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters and the "Cinderella" team, the 8th seeded Powerade Tigers.

To win, Tigers' need Lassiter to stay on the floor

Keys for the Tigers

1. Run and gun
- It's pretty obvious that the Tigers lack the legit point guard who makes scoring opportunities for his teammates. They have PGs who can handle the rock and rotate the basketball, but mostly, these guys are natural born shooters (Rudy Lingganay being the odd man out). JVee Casio and Celino Cruz need to run and keep pushing the pace to spread the floor and not let the Texters vaunted defense (which was modified halfway in the Petron series but wasn't recognized outright by most) set-up shop.

Big Doug's House

Big Doug's got the Bataan Bomber's back

Doug Kramer, the Powerade Tigers' anchor in the paint, took time to develop in the pros after being drafted 5th overall by the Air21 Express. Little did everyone know back then that the burly forward/ center would mature and become a key contributor to a struggling franchise's title hopes.

It's not that we haven't seen Kramer play this role before (as he did with the JC Intal-led Eagles), it's just that we had doubts if he was too "pogi" for the PBA's rugged style of play that will have him literally trading elbow shots to the face with the Dorian Penas, Ali Peeks, Beau Belgas, JayR Quinahans and the like.

Then he got his tooth knocked out during a rebound skirmish a few months back.

That's where his approach to the league changed from KKS' view. He fought for rebounds before, but never really bothered to dish out cheap shots and use his frame to the hilt. Not anymore. This year, he was released by the same team they just eliminated, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, to the Tigers. He no longer had to play   in a rotation heavy system. He was going to get a chance to shine. He also had veteran bangers to learn from- Rommel Adducul and Alex Crisano.

From the start, Kramer's role was clear: rebound, intimidate and set bruising screens for his superstar guards Bataan Bomber Gary David, Marcio Lassiter and JVee Casio. He played freely under coach Bo Perasol, allowed to take (and make) his pet 15-17 ft jumpers which made the Tigers' even more of a threat if they continue to develop their Pick and Roll play (when that happens, they'd be near impossible to guard because the P&R sucks in a lot of defenders and would open up the floor for the other two knockdown shooters on the court).

During the RoS-Powerade series, Kramer averaged 10 points and 11 rebounds in only 30 minutes of burn. Those are numbers that don't really jump at you from the get go (when compared to elite bigs in the PBA- but then again, who else is left? JayR Reyes?), but considering his place in the Tigers' offensive hierarchy- those are damn near solid.

Heading into the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Kramer will have his work cut-out for him non-stop. The newly-unleashed Ranidel De Ocampo is wreaking havoc as the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters' new main man in their re-modeled offense, Kelly Williams is athletic and quick, Japeth Aguilar will have his day jumping all over the place and lastly, Ali Peek is Ali Peek.

But make no mistake about it, while all the attention will rightfully go to the Tigers' high scoring trio of Lassiter, Casio and the Bataan Bomber, Kramer is just as invaluable if they are to win their first championship under the Bo Perasol era.

PS

We're still waiting for that Kenneth Duremdes comeback. One more game. One more game.