#PBA2015 COMMISH CUP FINALS GAME 2 PREVIEW: TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS vs RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS – REPEAT OR RECOVER

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With a superb individual performance from RDO, TNT was able to keep ROS at bay in Game 1 and draw first blood in the Finals. Can TNT repeat this in Game 2, or will ROS do enough to recover and level the series at 1-1?

ROS has actually had a very difficult time trying to beat TNT this past year. The last time the Painters defeated the Texters was waaay back in the 2014 PBA Philippine Cup elimination round. TNT beat ROS in the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup elims, the 2014 Commish Cup semis, the 2014 Govs’ Cup elims, the 2015 Philippine Cup elims, the 2015 Commish Cup elims, and then, of course, in Game 1. If ROS is to solve the TNT puzzle, they will really have to do something special here in Game 2.

Here are some things to watch in Game 2:

1. RDO ON A RAMPAGE

If there’s one main reason TNT was able to beat ROS in Game 1, it was RDO’s great individual performance. RDO has been efficient all throughout the conference, but he was even more efficient in Game 1, making 7 of 13 field goals and making all but one of his 11 free throws. As a result, he scored a conference-high 24 points. If RDO can continue to wax hot, TNT should be in really good shape to win.

Stats before Game 1: 14.3ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, 48.6 FG%, 65.0 FT%

Game 1: 24pts, 3rebs, 2asts, 2stls, 2blks, 53.4 FG%, 10/11 FTs

2. JOHNSON JACKS IT UP

Ivan Johnson’s production in the semifinals was a little inconsistent, but he jacked it up, in particular his scoring, in Game 1 to help TNT get the big win. Johnson shot 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc to finish with 23 points. If Johnson can continue shooting well and keep his emotions in check, the Texters will get a big boost in Game 2.

Johnson semis stats: 22.5ppg, 14.3rpg, 2.3apg, 2.3spg, 1.0bpg, 36.8 FG%, 21.9 3pt%

Johnson Game 1: 23pts, 12rebs, 5asts, 50.0 FG%, 50.0 3pt%

3. MAXIMIZING MATT

Another guy who was able to give TNT a HUGE lift was Matt Ganuelas-Rosser. MGR wasn’t used a lot in the semis against Purefoods, but he played heavy minutes and was more aggressive in Game 1. He was clearly a tough match-up for ROS’s wingmen. This is a good sign, since the last time he played against the Painters, he only scored 2 pts on 1/7 FG shooting.

MGR semis stats: 3.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 33.3 FG%

Last game vs ROS (elims): 2pts, 7rebs, 2asts, 2stls, 1/7 FGs

Game 1: 10pts, 6rebs, 2asts, 1stl, 1blk, 5/8 FGs

4. DEFENSE WINS

Defense was a big factor in TNT’s winning Game 1. The Texters were +3 in steals and forced 17 ROS turnovers. Consequently, TNT scored 15 pts off TOs, which really helped them win. If TNT can keep the pressure at a high level, continuing forcing ROS to commit errors, and pounce on these mistakes by scoring, they have a strong chance of winning Game 2.

Steals: TNT 8, ROS 5

Turnovers: TNT 8, ROS 17

Pts off TOs: TNT 15, ROS 4

6. BPC CANDIDATES: COLD SPELL

Before the series began, the most hyped match-up was between leading BPC candidates Jayson Castro and Paul Lee. Both have been playing really well and put big numbers entering the Finals, but both also went into a cold spell and struggled a little bit in Game 1. Without a doubt, they will surely bounce back strong, but the big question is will they be able to do it as early as Game 2?

Lee Pre-Finals stats: 16.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.2apg, 41.8 FG%, 2.5 triples per game

Castro Pre-Finals stats: 19.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.3apg, 1.2spg, 47.3 FG%, 3.2 triples per game

Lee Game 1: 13pts, 5rebs, 4asts, 41.7 FG%, 3 triples

Castro Game 1: 14pts, 5rebs, 5asts, 33.3 FG%, 2 triples

7. RAIN OR SHINE: FREE THROW WOES

One thing that didn’t help ROS’s chances in Game 1 was its free throw shooting. The Painters are among the best in the league in FT shooting (71.9% good for third overall), but they threw up a lot of bricks in Game 1. As a team, ROS made just 55% of its FTs, which is a shame considering they went to the line 33 times (+7 over TNT).

Free throws: TNT 21/26, ROS 18/33

Chan: 1/3

Tiu: 2/4

Almazan: 1/4

Chism: 7/11

8. CHISM CHUCKS IT 

ROS import Wayne Chism was actually the best individual performer in Game 1, dropping a big 34-point, 15-rebound game, but even that wasn’t enough for ROS to get the W. This was a great sign for ROS, since the last time Chism scored 30+ points was back on March 20 against Blackwater. He has struggled a bit in the Playoffs, but this is an encouraging development for ROS. If the Painters’ locals can step up, too, then ROS should be able to bounce back. He has to cut down on his turnovers, though.

Comm Cup stats before Game 1: 25.4ppg, 14.7rpg, 3.2apg, 1.6spg, 1.1bpg, 47.1 FG%, 44.4 3pt%

Chism Game 1: 34pts, 15rebs, 1ast, 2stls, 2blks, 13/20 FGs, 1/4 3pts, 5 turnovers

9. RAIN OR SHINE: BENCH PRODUCES

Aside from Chism, another positive the Painters can draw from in Game 1 was their bench production. The ROS supporting cast outscored TNT, 39-20, and this was a big reason they stayed in the game and still had a chance to win in the fourth period. Raymond Almazan, Jeff Chan, and TY Tang were all the big contributors off the bench for ROS. If the Painters can continue to enjoy a big advantage in bench scoring, that should boost their chances of equalizing this series.

Bench scoring: TNT 20, ROS 39

Almazan: 9pts, 6rebs, 2blks

Chan: 8pts

Tang: 6pts in 6 minutes

10.  THE BUMP

As if things weren’t already fascinating enough, Game 1 featured a very interesting sequence where TNT import Ivan Johnson bumped into ROS coach Yeng Guiao, who was just standing on the sidelines. After the bump, Johnson immediately turned around to say it was inadvertent, but ROS wouldn’t have any of it. Johnson was given a technical foul because of that hit, but coach Yeng thinks the consequence should have been more severe. Needless to say, he had some choice words to say after the game.

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