PBA GovCup Finals: A Review

Nawala ung laro ni Sakuragi

Now that the dust has settled a bit and some of the euphoria has faded into the rainy evening, let's look back at some of the things we learned from the highly competitive PBA GovCup Finals that opened a lot of eyes.

First, there's the fact that the champions-- the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, managed to win big the old fashioned way: "Built not bought." The title was six years in the making, took some retooling and a more aggressive stance (thanks to Coach Yeng Guiao who took over for the meek Caloy Garcia) but it was arguably a breath of fresh air in a league dominated by powerhouse teams with endless financial exploits.

So without further adieu...

PBA GovCup Finals: Na-delay lang pero amin ito

Finals MVP: Jeff Chan 

Sa sobrang pagkaka-delay ng kampeonato para sa Rain or Shine Elastopainters, muntikan ng masilat ni 2x PBA MVP James Yap at ng BMeg Llamados. Buti na lang bumalik sila sa dati nilang porma at hindi nagpadaig sa libo-libong Llamados fans (kasama na referees) na dumagsa sa SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Matapos ng ilang taong pagkaka bwusit sa potensyal na taglay ni Gabe Norwood, sa wakas natauhan din siya at namalayang 6"5 ang height nya kumpara sa bumabantay sa kanyang si Josh Urbiztondo. May mga ilang beses na nalulusutan sya ni Urbiztondo at tinitirahan, pero agad namang bumabawi si Norwood sa opensa-- oo, sa opensa, para panatilihing angat ang Elastopainters.

PBA GovCup Finals: Do-or-die Sunday

To win game 7: Yap needs to dominate.
Norwood needs to play smarter.

For one night, let's forget that the upstart Rain or Shine Elastopainters over-achieved this conference and jumped to a 3-1 Finals lead.

For one night, let's all forget that James Yap, 2x PBA Most Valuable Player, has been playing like a king not to be denied of his throne the last two-three outings.

For one night, let's just enjoy the last game of such an entertaining 37th PBA season that has provided us with joy, heartbreak, frustration and even hope wether you are a Barangay Ginebra fan or a masochistic Air21 hopeful.

PBA GovCup Finals: The James Yap Rises; Series now 2-3

Hindi pa ako tapos!

The PBA's most celebrated two-time Most Valuable Player just wasn't ready to go on vacation.

Not with the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat's coach Erik Spoelstra watching intently in the stands. With a beauty like Venus Raj and other celebrities hooked into what has become an overly physical series that has surprisingly been nothing short of entertaining for basketball fans and non-fans alike.

The games are heated, BMeg Llamados and Rain or Shine Elastoplayers aren't smiling at one another like they do in the NBA where everyone's a friend. There's a growing sense of hatred once the ball is tossed until the buzzer sounds. There's intensity, tenacity and fire from both camps. And tonight, it was Yap who shone brightest and torched the hapless Elastopainters.

PBA GovCup Finals: RoS a win away

RoS: Winning behind "balut" chemistry

Beat.

Just, plain, good old-fashioned beat.

That's how the BMeg Llamados are, now down 1-3 after losing a 17-point first quarter lead and losing all sense of composure best embodied by newly-minted Defensive Player of the Year Marc Pingris' silly headbutt on Rain or Shine Elastopainters' kiti-kiti guard Ryan Arana.

PBA GovCup Finals: You Dare Question Cone?

Cone: Always the "big picture" thinker

"@manilacone: My responsibility is to try to win another championship for them. I rested James and PJ last night so that they could be fresh for Sunday."

Unnerved, unapologetic and without any traces of regrets. BMeg Llamados' head coach Tim Cone drew a lot of flak from the Llamados' faithful for opting to sit stars James Yap and PJ Simon in yesterday's 84-93 Game 3 loss to the Rain or Shine Elastopainters. The master tactician went on to the post game press conference and even on Twitter to explain his actions, something almost unheard of in his multi-title and stellar coaching career.

PBA GovCup Finals: With or Without Lee

Can RoS win without Lee?

"We will win this series with or without Paul Lee."

These were the ever-defiant, fighting words of the upstart Rain or Shine Elastopainters' head coach Yeng Guiao when asked about his team's chances of winning the title minus Rookie of the Year race leader Lee who re-dislocated his left shoulder (an old injury that hasn't gotten any better).

Well, what else did you expect him to say? To call it a day, tuck his tail between his legs and go home? To burst whatever remaining bubble of confidence is left on a team that faired miserably last season post-Sol Mercado and pre-Lee?