I watched Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday night and it was my first in about a year. I sat behind the basket closest to the Talk N Text bench amidst a throng of their supporters. Who was I rooting for? Well, as much as I like the Alaska Aces, it's really a toss up.
Watching the two teams, here's what I can see. For Alaska, they have a system they follow and its a different version of the Triangle Offense. The standard triangle begins at the low post with movement coming from the corners and above the arc. With TNT Coach Chot Reyes familiar with what Alaska runs having been a part of its old staff, the Aces were running the post a little higher -- closer to the free throw line. It was just as effective except that some of their players especially Willie Miller seemed bored at first before he demanded the ball in his hands. There are only a handful of players who when the ball is in their hands is like putty. They can pretty much take over a game going from first gear to overdrive in a moment's notice. And Miller, the former Letran Knight is one of them. There is no one in the league who can guard him so it is damn mystifying when he disappears for spells only to suddenly show up.
But Alaska's offense is highly dependent on its system and if you've noticed, they play smart ball and usually take shots within the flow of their system. That's how players who come in the game as substitutes are able to get their touches and shots because the system is predicated on passing and finding the open man.
Still if you ask me why Tony De La Cruz was buried too long on the bench I wouldn't know. Sure John Ferriols played well, but De La Cruz, Joe Devance, and Sonny Thoss scored the bulk of their points in the first half.
Talk N Text on the other hand, should be handily kicking butt and taking names like no one's business. If Alaska has Miller as their scoring dynamo, TNT has two.
They have a pair of enigmatic whirling dervishes who are some of the most prodigious scorers we've seen in quite some time. The first time I saw Mark Cardona play, I told myself that this guy seems to be able to put points on the board at will. And he is able to do that in the PBA against the best defenses and defenders!
Jared Dillinger is only a rook but this guy is the second coming of Danny Seigle. Explosive and possessing a quick first step and a variety of shake and bake moves, he can do it all. See how he is able to whip that outlet pass on the run. Wait until he has a season more of experience under his belt and he'll be among the league scoring leaders.
With regards to the game, you can see the heavy influence of college basketball in the PBA games. Alaksa's dance troupe delivered a PEP Squad type of halftime show (that wasn't very impressive to begin with). But TNT stole the halftime show by co-opting San Beda's cheerleaders and the Indian Yell with Jimmy Santos as the Chief Tomahawk. They even distributed pieces of paper with the words to the modified cheers. But outside the halftime palabas, what's with the drums? Does anyone even get pumped up? But that's okay. I figure it's a start anyways.
So it's on to a Game 7 which we really expected.
Who is going to win this?
Alaska. By six.
read this: http://www.malaya.com.ph/feb10/spor1.htm
Watching the two teams, here's what I can see. For Alaska, they have a system they follow and its a different version of the Triangle Offense. The standard triangle begins at the low post with movement coming from the corners and above the arc. With TNT Coach Chot Reyes familiar with what Alaska runs having been a part of its old staff, the Aces were running the post a little higher -- closer to the free throw line. It was just as effective except that some of their players especially Willie Miller seemed bored at first before he demanded the ball in his hands. There are only a handful of players who when the ball is in their hands is like putty. They can pretty much take over a game going from first gear to overdrive in a moment's notice. And Miller, the former Letran Knight is one of them. There is no one in the league who can guard him so it is damn mystifying when he disappears for spells only to suddenly show up.
But Alaska's offense is highly dependent on its system and if you've noticed, they play smart ball and usually take shots within the flow of their system. That's how players who come in the game as substitutes are able to get their touches and shots because the system is predicated on passing and finding the open man.
Still if you ask me why Tony De La Cruz was buried too long on the bench I wouldn't know. Sure John Ferriols played well, but De La Cruz, Joe Devance, and Sonny Thoss scored the bulk of their points in the first half.
Talk N Text on the other hand, should be handily kicking butt and taking names like no one's business. If Alaska has Miller as their scoring dynamo, TNT has two.
They have a pair of enigmatic whirling dervishes who are some of the most prodigious scorers we've seen in quite some time. The first time I saw Mark Cardona play, I told myself that this guy seems to be able to put points on the board at will. And he is able to do that in the PBA against the best defenses and defenders!
Jared Dillinger is only a rook but this guy is the second coming of Danny Seigle. Explosive and possessing a quick first step and a variety of shake and bake moves, he can do it all. See how he is able to whip that outlet pass on the run. Wait until he has a season more of experience under his belt and he'll be among the league scoring leaders.
With regards to the game, you can see the heavy influence of college basketball in the PBA games. Alaksa's dance troupe delivered a PEP Squad type of halftime show (that wasn't very impressive to begin with). But TNT stole the halftime show by co-opting San Beda's cheerleaders and the Indian Yell with Jimmy Santos as the Chief Tomahawk. They even distributed pieces of paper with the words to the modified cheers. But outside the halftime palabas, what's with the drums? Does anyone even get pumped up? But that's okay. I figure it's a start anyways.
So it's on to a Game 7 which we really expected.
Who is going to win this?
Alaska. By six.
read this: http://www.malaya.com.ph/feb10/spor1.htm
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