PBA Philippine Cup Finals: Ginebra (1) vs TNT (3)

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.

That's it. End of conversation.

Terrence, who?

The right Terrence for TNT
(Photo courtesy

Looks like TNT Katropa finally found the right Terrence for them, huh?

Eight-year NBA veteran and current PBA Commissioner's Cup TNT super import Terrence Jones, that is. The former Kentucky Wildcat is averaging an impressive 34.5 peg 16.40 rag and 7.7 apg while shooting 41% from deep and 51% from two. Jones' all around brilliance has propelled TNT back to the top of the standings after the team's confusing/ disappointing play the last few conferences.

So here's where TNT is right now: 9-1 win-loss record, managed to do away with disgruntled, supposedly "future" cornerstones Terrence Romeo, Jericho Cruz and RR Garcia, and adding role players like the other Semerad twin and Don Trollano along the way. From the outside looking in, you'd think that they lost a lot of star power in the process, and perhaps they did, but they were able to pretty much simplify their game plan in terms of who is Alpha, Beta and so on.


Jones is Alpha. Clear cut. Beta is Jayson Castro, who was supposed to pass on the heavy burden of carrying the team to younger teammates. Turns out, there's little to no need for that, at least not in import-laden conferences. Castro may not be as Blurry as years back, but he isn't exactly on his last legs either. Now you've got Jones and Castro as the clear 1-2 punch, with other players knowing just when and where to be. Troy Rosario is back to doing Rosario things, and not pretending to be a small forward (hopefully, for international purposes, he can continue working on this). The addition of the other Semerad, and how he complements his twin, is pretty much what Rosario can go back to being. A tough enforcer who works the board on defense, and a sturdy screen setter with enough range to knock down any kick-out passes from the free throw line and out.

So just how far can Jones take TNT?

Honestly, Abueva-dance-gate kidding aside, we feel that he can take TNT all the way to the PBA Finals. The team looks like it is in great rhythm, they celebrate each other's made shots and plays, and  they do not ball watch anymore (which was a really odd sight to see last season, considering TNT has been the PBA's standard bearer for a more Euro-style of play).

Now what we'd really like to know is, how long are we going to keep calling Bong Ravena the "head coach?"

Also, you really mean to tell us that they couldn't simply have done this for Jimmy Alapag back then? You know, something like, he's "head coach" but you've got an import consultant, say a Rajko Toroman at the time, to be in his ear? Really? Really?

Your thoughts?

Gilas Pilipinas: The Specialist

Photo courtesy of interaksyon.com

Name one basketball skill and chances are Larry Fonacier's probably performed it in one of the many stops in his decorated and multi-titled basketball career.

Shoot from the outside? Hit clutch baskets? Jumpshot? Layup left hand? Layup right hand? Use the glass? Stop and pop? Pick and roll? Pick and pop? Teardrop?

Check.