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X-Factors in San Miguel-Alaska All-Filipino finals rematch
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THE PBA Philippine Cup should be a thrill to basketball fans whose interest in the league was fanned in the 1990s. After all, it features two of the more successful franchises that flourished during the years when Gilas Pilipinas and lopsided trades weren’t yet the vogue.
It’s Alaska vs San Miguel Beer in an era when their showdown can no longer be billed us the battle between Triangle and Motion offenses. Gone are the coaches who turned both squads into enviable programs. Alaska has stuck to its roots, building a team patiently through draft picks and wise acquisitions. The Beermen has changed the way it does things–and that’s not necessarily a good thing.
Alaska’s execution and discipline in sticking to the game plan has merged well with its stock of talent. San Miguel, on the other hand, has done well building around June Mar Fajardo and creating a playbook that maximizes his strength.
The defending champion Beermen look like they have the advantage on paper–and more, considering the advantage mentally of having beaten this squad for the title last year. But an injury to Fajardo may have just changed the complexion of the title series.
Fajardo’s swollen left knee leaves a lot of doubts as to how the reigning two-time MVP will contribute to the Beermen’s attempt to retain their crown. But with or without Fajardo, we would like to zero in on two players who could tilt the odds to their team’s favor: San Miguel Beer’s Marcio Lassiter and Alaska’s Dondon Hontiveros.
With Fajardo’s questionable status–officials say he’ll play but the gingerly way with which he tried to walk off the pain during his hospital visit casts doubts on how strong the knee is–Lassiter’s shooting will all the more be a key component in the Beermen’s run.
San Miguel successfully ran down Rain or Shine in their Game 6 semifinal showdown by making Lassiter a more active threat on offense. Instead of just plugging him in the corner for kickout threes off the doubles Fajardo draws down low, the Beermen ran pick-and-rolls with him and Fajardo. Lassiter proved his passing and shooting threat helps that ploy flow seamlessly regardless of the big man setting the pick. In a crucial play down the stretch, Lassiter set up key Gabby Espinas free throws with that same play.
If Fajardo is in full strength, Lassiter’s ability to engineer a pick-and-roll will add a fresh dimension to the post plays San Miguel loves to set June Mar up with. Plus, his three-point shooting will force Alaska to try and get away with “show” double teams instead of a full cover. If Fajardo reads these shows right and crushes the Alaska interior defense, Lassiter’s threat already does its share long before he even launches a trey.
If Fajardo struggles, Lassiter will be Ble to get alternate big men involved in the offense, keeping Alaska from overly focusing on Arwind Santos, whi should be Offense One if Fajardo can’t shake off the effects of his knee injury.
Hontiveros will be a more subtle x-factor than Lassiter. He is of the same mold, a shooter who can spike an offense with a three-point bomb and shake an opponent’s defense’s confidence by merely loitering outside the arc.
While Hontiveros’ can’t be expected to contribute to Alaska as heavily as Lassiter is expected to for the Beermen, the Cebuano hotshot will be a key plug in Alex Compton’s rotation because he has the ability to take the heat off Alaska’s key stars. The Beermen will expectedly train its stoppers on Calvin Abueva, JVee Casio and even Vic Manuel. But Hontiveros could draw attention if his shooting clicks.
If the veteran swingman, who spent several championship seasons with the Beermen, can’t find his shot, it will put a lot of pressure on Alaska’s regulars, along with Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio, to shoulder Alaska’s offense. Hontiveros has had several big games against the Beermen in last season’s Finals, and his experience in pressure situations will prove crucial for the Aces.
While the two gunners won’t be singled out for their defense, how both will stay in front of their man will also be key. It is important to note that both might be defending each other in the series.
Determining each other’s contribution to their teams will be tricky. Lassiter will be easy to judge by checking his numbers on scoring, three-point shooting and assists. But look also to the plays that develop off his first action.
Hontiveros? Watch closely what his man does as he hangs out in the three-point area. If his defender can’t fully collapse to help in guarding the low blocks, then you know Hontiveros is sinking his talons into the game with his presence.
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