#PBA2015 PHILIPPINE CUP GAME 7: FOR ALL THE MARBLES
In preparation for tonight’s titular affair in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup, let’s look back at the previous game and then see what things to watch for in Game 7.
What happened in Game 6:
Alaska’s supporting cast stepped up.
Calvin Abueva struggled big time in Game 6, scoring just 5 points, but his supporting cast stepped up in a huge way to compensate. Veterans Dondon Hontiveros and Sonny Thoss led the charge for the Aces, combining for 31 points. Hontiveros hit 3 triples, while Thoss added 9 rebounds. They also got a big lift from reserve big man Vic Manuel, who tossed in a dozen markers in just 22 minutes of play.
Alaska crashed the boards & limited turnovers.
Once again, the Aces outrebounded the Beermen, 53-46, and this time they also took good care of the basketball, turning it over just 11 times compared to 17 in Game 5. If the Aces can continue to be extra tough inside and take extra care of the basketball, then they should be in good shape in Game 7.
June Mar Fajardo struggled again.
After a dominant showing in Game 5, Fajardo struggled again in Game 6, putting up just 9 points on 2/7 FG shooting. He has clearly been bothered by the physical and smothering Alaska defense, but the Beermen will continue to rely on him to produce. There is no doubt that if San Miguel wants to run away with the crown, their MVP and BPC needs to be at his best.
Bad FG shooting for SMB.
Practically across the board, the Beermen struggled from the field. Even if they combined for 41 points, scoring leaders Arwind Santos & Marcio Lassiter shot just 15/35 from the field. Starting guards Alex Cabagnot and Chris Lutz also struggled, combining for just 4/15 FG shooting. As a team, SMB made just 37.5% of its FGs, while Alaska shot 44.6% from the floor. That kind of disparity just won’t cut it.
Keys for Game 7:
It’s all about the best player on the best team.
I have a feeling whoever shows up big time between June Mar Fajardo and Calvin Abueva will be able to tow his team to victory in Game 7. This is for all the marbles now, and the top two guys in the recently-concluded BPC race will definitely be in the spotlight. I think whoever performs better will be able to carry his squad to the top.
X-Factors: Thoss & Hontiveros for ALA; Santos & PGs for SMB.
If veterans like Thoss & Hontiveros can continue to bring the pain, then Alaska should really have a strong chance to steal Game 7, but if Arwind Santos has a dominant showing and the SMB playmakers (Cabagnot & Chris Ross) are on their game, then coach Leo Austria might be looking at his first PBA title as head coach.
SMB hasn’t won the All Filipino since 2001; ALA since 2000.
Both teams are really hungry to win this title, so we should expect a no-holds-barred affair in Game 7.
Will JV Casio explode?
After playing relatively well in Games 1-3, Casio disappeared in Games 4-5. He scored 9 markers in Game 6, but he’ll need to play even better on both ends to really be a factor in Game 7. This could be a defining game for someone like Casio.
Will Fajardo make his presence felt?
As the MVP and BPC, Fajardo is expected to be the best player on the court at any given time, and what better time to show that than in Game 7? In this series, the Kraken hasn’t really been the kind of unstoppable force he’s known to be, but he can change all that with a statement performance when it counts the most.
Will it be another meltdown for SMB, or will they dominate again?
Repeatedly, San Miguel has built big leads only to see these whittled down by the resilient Aces. Will it happen again in Game 7, or will the Beermen, like in Games 2 and 4, be able to really dominate and show the entire league that they are the best team on paper and on the court?
I think Alaska winning would be a better story, but the odds are definitely stacked in the Beermen’s favor.
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