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| One more time for the Demolition Man. |
With Dennis Espino's retirement, Danny Ildefonso-- even at his advanced state and mileage, is the best low post player in the league today. He may no longer possess the foot speed to spin away from younger bigs, but the high basketball IQ remains as well as the sweet 15 to 18 foot jumpers.
In today's comeback victory (the Petron Blaze Boosters are starting to make this a habit) over the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, Ildefonso delivered with 22 points and 8 rebounds-- the most he's scored in over four years. And though this came as a huge surprise to Quinito Henson, this writer finds nothing big about it at all. When healthy, Ildefonso knows when and where to score on the floor. He sets sturdy screens, is always mindful of kick-out passes and is the premier example of how a basketball player should be in the league (dedicated and committed at getting better to win).
Will TNT be able to stage a comeback in the series after being dealt a telling blow (and the possible loss of Ryan Reyes who injured another part of his anatomy yet again-- this time his wrist)?
That remains to be seen, but at this point, seems doubtful.
They can probably squeeze a victory, but I don't see how the Boosters will allow themselves to let this golden opportunity of advancing to the Pinoy Cup Finals go.
Credit has to go to coach Ato Agustin for making his players accountable out on the floor.
Previously, I wrote about how Agustin is starting to make Reyes look like a sophomore coach rather than a multi titled one. Now, I argue that Agustin simply does one thing better than Reyes and that's why his team is on top.
He makes his players play to their strengths.
Alex Cabagnot has the freedom to create on offense and shoot clutch baskets.
Agustin never asks him to over extend himself on defense.
Denok Miranda is assigned to lockdown any TNT guard who makes successive baskets.
Agustin never forces him to score on the other end despite defenders sagging off Miranda (given his reputation for not being a solid offensive threat).
And finally...
...Arwind Santos is rebounding and playing defense.
Agustin has managed to brainwash the MVP frontrunner who has a penchant for launching one too many heat check threes and convinced him to just let the game come to him and give the threes and long range shots to his teammates.
Reyes on the other hand, couldn't even ask his best player- Ranidel de Ocampo, to play in the paint for three straight possessions.
In truth, this series could've been in TNT's favor had RDO played exclusively in the post. The Boosters don't have anyone big enough to guard RDO outside of Rob Reyes and Danny Ildefonso-- but that would open up things for whoever's playing beside the TNT big man (usually Ali Peek or Harvey Carey).
Also, it would definitely help TNT's overall team rebounding numbers and unclog the perimeter where their guards are usually found (only Jayson Castro and maybe the little used Jarred Dillinger are threats to drive into the lane).
For TNT to force a Game 6, they need a lot of things to go their way- RDO in the post, Castro and Dillinger to drive hard and Alapag and Fonacier to find their range from deep.
Right now, things are looking good for the Boosters and they owe this victory to the Demolition Man.
