Ready to Rumble

Big test coming up for Big Doug

While the spotlight and well deserved credit belongs to the guards of both Powerade Tigers and Rain or Shine Elastopainters (Gary David, Marcio Lassiter, Jayvee Casio, Jeffrei Chan, Ronjay Buenafe and Paul Lee) who could very well catch fire all at the same time and treat us to a rare shooting exhibition, this writer believes that the "other" PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series will be decided by the big boys.

On the Tigers' front, they have the vastly improved and emerging Doug Kramer backed up by veterans Rommel Adducul, Alex Crisano and Sean Anthony.

For the most part, the Tigers flourish whenever Anthony and Kramer are on the floor. Anthony provides the frenetic energy on defense (while also being a decent shot from long range) and the glass while Kramer, who appears to have finally found his niche in the pros, uses his added heft to box out opponents and is a lock to drill in set shots up to 18 feet. Crisano, a former PBA team captain with Barako Bull, provides a little of what Anthony (energy, rebounding) brings to the table and is always able to win over the fans. Then there's the ageless Rommel Adducul, a little thinner than his glory days as "The General" but still savvy enough in the block whenever his team needs a point or two.

There will be games wherein Anthony's knack for getting loose balls and extra possessions are going to turn the tide in favor for his team, but the spotlight truly belongs to Kramer. Now that he's finally comfortable in the pros as a legit bruising big man, this is his golden opportunity to make a name for himself. Yes, his superstar guards would probably/ most likely get the numbers, but if Kramer protects the paint, sets sturdy screens and keeps the defense honest, he could easily leapfrog into the Top 5 centers in the PBA today.

RoS frontline should come
with its own tag: "Here comes the pain!"

For the E-Painters, they have arguably the best yet most under-rated frontline rotation in the league- Beau Belga, JayR Quinahan, Ronnie Matias, Larry Rodriguez and Jervy Cruz. Belga, who plays more like a wing than a center on offense, stretches opponents' defense with his range and mildly-acceptable ball handling skills. His bulky frame also makes it tough for opponents to box him out of the paint. Then there's Quinahan, a defensive juggernaut who made a name for himself in the amateurs as a shotblocker but has now progressed and even added a somewhat low arching three point shot that's money whenever he's wide open.

Then there's Cruz, a former UAAP MVP who does his best work catching freebies deep within the paint (really, just throw him a lob and he's bound to get his two points or fouled and sent to the line). Not much the rebounder or defensive gem, but still an asset to have around. And if that's not enough, there's still the interchangeable sturdy pair of Matias and Rodriguez. Both polished low post players with acceptable jumpers, tough as nails and ready to dish out hard fouls and screens.

From the outside looking in, the Tigers better pray that their guards carry them through this series with great shooting. Else, RoS can look into playing an inside-out, grind-it-out game that plays to the strengths of their Kargador Corps.

Should be an interesting match-up, with Crisano's tenacity and theatrics always a threat to start a riot-- and I'm not even sure if he wants a piece of Matias, Quinahan and Rodriguez altogether.