If the PBA Philippine Cup finals turns out to be a long series, it will likely favor Talk ‘N’ Text because it has younger legs with only five players at least 30 years old compared to San Miguel Beer’s seven. Besides, the Texters use a deeper rotation with eight players averaging 20 minutes or more to the Beermen’s five. But don’t discount San Miguel’s experience. Veterans know how to pace themselves, particularly in the playoffs. Olsen Racela, 40, Danny Seigle, 34, and Danny Ildefonso, 34, are grizzled warriors who understand what championship basketball is all about. The veterans usually conserve their energy for the stretch run. How San Miguel coach Ato Agustin will employ his senior statesmen as the series progresses may make a difference. Remember in Game 4 of the Ginebra semifinal duel, Agustin turned to his “oldies” for clutch baskets last Jan. 12. Seigle delivered 15 points, Ildefonso 13 and Racela 8 as the Beermen held on to win, 108-104, in double overtime.
Agustin’s charges play best under pressure. They’re tough to beat when the game is close and it’s in the last two minutes. Poise is San Miguel’s trademark. Agustin has stabilizers in his three veterans. Starters Jay Washington, Alex Cabagnot, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Peña and Arwind Santos are tested gladiators. Throw in Joseph Yeo, Denok Miranda, Paul Artadi, Mick Pennisi and Sunday Salvacion and you’ve got a formidable strike force. Talk ‘N’ Text’s bench is extremely combustible. Man for man, the Texters are deeper than San Miguel with Ranidel de Ocampo, averaging only 6.5 points, expected to jack up his stats now that he’s fully recovered from injury. Coach Chot Reyes’ regular starting guards are Jimmy Alapag and Ryan Reyes. If he opens with Kelly Williams at center, Harvey Carey checks in at power forward and Jared Dillinger or De Ocampo at the three-spot. If Ali Peek starts in the middle, Williams slides to four. Throughout the conference, Reyes has used 11 players to start, indicating the extent of his options. Larry Fonacier, who has matured into a reliable two-way player, is expected to play a key role in the series.
Washington, Santos and Hontiveros are San Miguel’s most dangerous gunslingers. But it’s Cabagnot who’s been particularly impressive since joining San Miguel from Coca-Cola via Sta. Lucia Realty and Air21 last season. Finally, the Beermen have found Racela’s heir apparent after trying out the likes of L. A. Tenorio, Mike Cortez, Jonas Villanueva and Bon-Bon Custodio. The Crunchman is more of an orchestrator than a scorer and it shows in his stats – he’s averaging a shade less than double figures in scoring and 5.3 assists. But he’s not afraid to take the big shot when the game’s on the line.
It’s obvious that for San Miguel to win, the Beermen must play exceptional defense to take away Talk ‘N’ Text’s ability to score off the offensive boards and on the break. That’s Agustin’s challenge – to turn San Miguel into a fierce defensive unit because battling the Tropa in a shootout is a losing proposition.
Game 2 of the finals is scheduled at the Cuneta Astrodome this Wednesday. There will be no playoff for third place between losing semifinalists Ginebra San Miguel and B-Meg.
Joaquin Henson, Philippine Star
