#PBA2015 PHILIPPINE CUP FINALS: BACK TO SQUARE ONE

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SMB adjusted well in Game 2, putting the clamps on Alaska’s shooters and going down to June Mar Fajardo in the all-important fourth quarter. As a result, SMB dominated in the endgame and tied their series at 1-1. This effectively put things back at square one.

As for Alaska, they were kinda undone by their own physicality as this seemed to distract them from really making headway into the game and it served to fire up the Beermen even more.

Some key aspects from Game 2:

Punishing Physicality

Physicality was the name of the game again for the Finals. As expected the Aces really took it to the Beermen, but this time the Beermen pushed back. In particular, David Semerad played the role of enforcer here, not budging even against the rugged play of the Aces. The physicality also fired up SMB as proven by Arwind Santos playing really well despite getting cut in the third period.

“I think we lost our focus when we were making cheap shots,” Alaska coach Alex Compton (quote c/o Rey Joble/InterAKTV)

“Masyado akong nadala ng physicality. Medyo pinagsisihan ko rin yung nagawa ko kasi doon nagsimula yung rally nung San Miguel,” Vic Manuel said. (quote c/o Rey Joble/InterAKTV)

Great finishing kick by SMB

SMB outscored ALA, 28-16, in the 4Q, relying mainly on the strong play of June Mar Fajardo to take them to the series-tying win. SMB led by just two after 3 periods, but they opened things up when they outscored ALA 23-7 in the first 7 minutes of the 4Q.

Chris Lutz had an outstanding game

Lutz stepped up again for SMB and he was very effective on both ends of the floor. He was drilling threes, getting steals, distributing the ball, and grabbing rebounds. He did everything and then some.

Averages before Game 2: 11.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 4.0apg, 0.6spg, total of 3 treys made

Game 2 stats: 20pts, 10rebs, 5asts, 2stls, 3 triples.

Raging Ross!

Another guy who really gave SMB a big lift was Chris Ross, who played much better than expected and compensated for another subpar performance from Alex Cabagnot. Ross made big shots in the final frame, showed great playmaking and was perfect from the field here.

Stats before Game 2: 4.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.1apg, 1.7spg, 40.4 FG%

Game 2 stats: 12pts, 2rebs, 5asts, 1stl, 4/4 FGs

June Mar Fajardo big in the 4th Qtr

June Mar came up huge in the fourth quarter after a somewhat slow start to the game. He scored 7 of his 15 pts in the pivotal period, effectively anchoring the SMB offense and leading them in closing out the Aces.

Game 1 4QTR & OT: 5pts, 3/4 FTs

Game 2 4QTR: 7pts, 3/4 FTs

Despite the win, however, SMB still needs to make June Mar more imposing. The Aces have clearly found a way to neutralize  his effectiveness by limiting his shots. Before the Finals, Fajardo took about 12.7 FG attempts per game, but, so far, that number has dwindled to just 8.5 in Games 1 & 2.

Arwind Santos responds

After struggling with his shot in Game 1, the Spiderman responded really well in Game 2, scoring a game-high 22pts. He responded well to the physicality as well, not backing down despite being on the receiving end of the physical play of guys like Calvin Abueva.

Game 1: 12pts, 5/14 FGs, no cuts to the head

Game 2: 22pts, 9/16 FGs, a cut to the head, but a big win makes it worth it

Abueva struggles

In contrast, BPC candidate Calvin Abueva was the one who struggled here, shooting just 30% from the field and scoring a total of just 11 points. It seems he was focused more on being physical rather than being effective and, as a result, the Aces just couldn’t recover after falling behind by double-digits in the 4QTR.

Game 1: 22pts, 10rebs, 1 turnover, 3 fouls

Game 2: 11pts, 9rebs, 3 turnovers, 4 fouls

Veteran Aces contribute

Playing supporting roles, veterans Cyrus Baguio and Sonny Thoss contributed heavily despite Alaska losing. Both veteran starters were quite efficient in this game, combining for 29 points on 14/24 FG shooting. If they can continue to contribute significantly, then they have a great chance of going up 2-1 after Game 3.

Conference Averages:

Baguio: 9.5ppg, 34.6 FG%

Thoss: 8.6ppg, 41.7 FG%

Game 2:

Baguio: 13pts, 6/11 FGs

Thoss: 16pts, 8/13 FGs

Missing Mr. Muscle

One guy who was missing for Alaska was Mr. Muscle Vic Manuel, who was shackled to just 2 points in 20 minutes of play. If the Aces want to go up 2-1, then they will definitely need Manuel to be productive again. He also seemed more focused on being physical as he wrapped his arm around David Semerad in the 3 QTR.

Averages: 10.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 43.4 FG%

Game 2: 2pts, 5rebs, 1/8 FGs

What happened to the Alaska FTs?

One curious thing here is Alaska shooting just 8 FTs. This is a little strange because in their first two games against the Beermen (elims & Game 1), they shot a helluva lot of FTs, so this could be an indication of the Aces’ lack of focus in being aggressive in Game 2. That aggressiveness is a big weapon for Alaska and they will need to return to their usual level of aggressiveness if they want to be competitive in Game 3.

Previous 2 games vs SMB: 31.1 free throw attempts per game

Game 2: only 8 free throw attempts

PBA commissioner Chito Salud has summoned no less than six players and two other individuals to appear in his office a few hours before Game Three, an indication how rugged and emotional the PBA Philippine Cup Finals has gone.

The league chieftain is expected to make an effort to tone down tempers and avoid escalation of clashes into a full-blown fight.

Summoned are SMB players Arwind Santos, Ronald Tubid and David Semerad, Alaska Aces Calvin Abueva, Dondon Hontiveros and Vic Manuel, Aces assistant coach Louie Alas and an SMB ball boy.

But the volatile tone of the title series has been set, and it isn’t expected to subside as the two teams break their one-game-all standoff at the resumption of the best-of-seven finals Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Nagsisimula pa lang ang laban. At gumaganda ang labanan,” said Santos, bloodied but ending up the biggest hero of the Beermen in their crucial 100-86 win in Game Two Friday night.

“Kung makulit siya, dapat mas makulit ako,” Santos also said, referring to his match-up with Abueva.

Abueva led the Aces to a come-from-behind 88-82 win in Game One, but Santos got even with his Alaska counterpart in Game Two.

The Beermen pummeled the Aces with their superior strength Friday night and, with the empathic victory, have reemerged as the series favorites.

“We won the first game but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re still the underdogs and they’re still the powerhouse,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said.

“We stole one, we gave ourselves a chance, but we’re still facing Goliath. I hope the fans find a reason to cheer for the little guy,” Compton also said.

Noting that they lost focus and eventually lost the game after hard clashes in Game Two, Compton said: “We’ve got to be smarter at that.”

Technically, the Aces have 48 hours to tinker with their ploy after the Beermen made the right adjustments and exposed holes on Alaska’s vaunted defense.

The Beermen won the game on runaway fashion as they ran a good play against Alaska’s press, dominated the boards, 52-30, and found a way to get the ball to Junemar Fajardo.

“A big key was Alaska not able to double on Junemar,” said SMB coach Leo Austria, pointing out they made a simple adjustment that worked well.

“Simpleng play lang para madaling maintindihan ng mga players. We would need some time if we design a new play,” Austria said.

San Miguel made a solid finish that it failed to get in Game One, battering Alaska Milk on both ends of the court in the crunch as the Beermen got back at the Aces.

It was a game fraught with action and drama, and the Beermen prevailed by summoning the needed grit, guts and effort.

The Beermen didn’t exactly stay calm but stayed composed through a highly physical and highly emotional game where blood spilled and bodies sprawled on the floor on hard fouls.

Santos best typified the kind of performance put up by SMB as the 2013 MVP awardee fought bravely specially after drawing a nasty cut on his forehead on a wayward elbow by Abueva in the third quarter, coming through with a game-high 22 points on top of four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Many cheap shots were made and at least three double-fouls were called.

Thus, the league commissioner wants his voice heard before Game Three.

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