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| D for Denok. Pero pag kelangan, sa opensa naasahan |
While Chris Lutz continues to sit in the background thanks to the unforgiving TNT defense, familiar title picture worthy names are rising up to take the limelight. In Game 2, it was 2nd time daddy Joseph Yeo coming up with the firepower. Tonight, it's FEU's underrated yet best defensive point guard in recent memory Denok Miranda teaming up with long time buddy Arwind Santos.
And, while Alex Cabagnot struggled early, he managed to hit the biggest shot of 'em all- a ballsy three pointer to take back the lead after a TNT free throw with the game clock winding down that pretty much gave them a comfortable cushion to close the game out.
Credit has to go to Boosters' coach Ato Agustin for yet another brilliant display of "hugot" knowing when to put in players even if they're hurting (Danny Ildefonso was sent back in to finish the game despite suffering from cramps) because of the trust and relationship that they've built over the last four conferences. Ditto with Cabagnot, who didn't seem to mind being brought in and out of the playing court for situational purposes- plays on offense, sits on defense.
Honestly, this writer doesn't see how else TNT can win this series with arguably their most complete game yet. Alapag was doing his long range thing, Ali Peek was beastly, Ranidel de Ocampo played with about as much fire as you'll be able to squeeze out of him and guys like Larry Fonacier and Jarred Dillinger brought everything they had to the table.
Obviously, Jayson Castro is still hurt because of his limited lateral movements. Same with Ryan Reyes who was a step slower than Alex Cabagnot (again, I argue that when 100% healthy, Reyes is a close 2nd to Denok Miranda defensively). Hell, even Alapag looked slower (age and injuries) out on the court.
Maybe TNT coach Chot Reyes could consider bringing in Fonacier early, since outside of Reyes, he's their best perimeter defender. Arwind Santos broke out tonight, but Williams should be able to hold his own over the Boosters' MVP front runner.
Cabagnot? Right now, TNT doesn't have anyone to put in front of him and that's going to hurt (of the teams left, only Rain or Shine has the personel to challenge Captain Crunch because they can easily throw Ryan Arana/ Jireh Ybanez on him while their PG, Paul Lee, slides over to SG on D.)
Kudos to the whole TNT camp for downplaying it and just leaving it all out on the floor. And, while the series is still far from over, it's quite obvious that the healthier, hungrier and BIGGER team is going to close this series out quite possibly in 6.
P.S.
Quinito Henson should be banned from making any more monickers. This is 2011. Not 1996.
"Crunchman."
Really? Really?
Sigh.
