MANILA, Philippines - To many, the PBA Philippine Cup Final Four is simply too close to call.
Experts said the protagonists all have what it takes to win making both match-ups a tough call.
Defending champion B-MEG Derby Ace is ranged against playoffs top seed Talk n Text on one side while San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra, with seven all-Filipino crowns between themselves, are pitted against each other on the other side.
The Tropang Texters are 1-0 up versus the Llamados while the Beermen and the Kings start their best-of-seven confrontation on Jan. 5 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska coach Tim Cone said both series would be a battle and could well go the full distance.
Air21 mentor Yeng Guiao and Barako Bull tactician Junel Baculi predicted a Talk n Text-San Miguel finale while Meralco’s Ryan Gregorio and Coca-Cola’s Bo Perasol said it could well be Talk n Text versus Barangay Ginebra.
Gregorio, the one who steered Purefoods (now Derby Ace) to the championship last year, went to the extent of predicting a Talk n Text championship.
“Each game will go down the wire. It will be very, very close but my fearless projection is Talk n Text,” said Gregorio.
The three-time Coach of the Year winner pointed to Talk n Text’s solid lineup, experience and hunger as key factors that could carry the Texters all the way to the top.
Gregorio, however, insisted it won’t be easy, explaining Derby Ace alone could well be a big stumbling block in the semis.
“Derby Ace also has the experience and the playoff mentality that it always finds ways to win,” said Gregorio. “And despite injuries, Derby Ace is still strong enough to battle. When we formed that team, we made sure to be three-deep in every position.”
Guiao also pointed to TnT as the team to have the edge but did not discount the possibility of an upset.
Baculi and Perasol picked TnT over Derby Ace for the Texters’ roster power, hunger and momentum.
The Texters drew first blood in their series versus the Llamados, pulling off a 79-70 win Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The coaches, however, are split on the Ginebra-SMB duel.
“San Miguel, to me, is just too strong in all positions. They have edge in height and quickness in all spots,” said Guiao.
“Another thing going for San Miguel is that it looks fresher now. Before, they had the talent but they appeared burnt out,” Guiao added.
Gregorio thinks the Beermen and the Kings are evenly matched insofar as roster power is concerned but Ginebra has a big edge on the rich playoff experience of its coaching staff.
“My intelligent guess is it might be Ginebra for the simple reason that coach Jong (Uichico) and coach Siot (Tanquingcen) work together. Both have been there and have done that,” said Gregorio.
“One thing going for Ato (Agustin of San Miguel) is his unpredictability. Ato has had his accomplishments. But in a long seven-game series, experience factors a lot. Coach Jong and coach Siot have a big advantage on that,” Gregorio added.
Nelson Beltran, Philippine Star
