#PBA2015 COMMISH CUP SEMIS GAME 3 PREVIEW: TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS vs PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS – INTENSITY & PHYSICALITY

Game 2 was full of physicality and intensity. From the on-court fracas between Matt Rosser & Allein Maliksi to the dugout confrontation between Ivan Johsnon & Marc Pingris, Game 2 set the tone for what should be an explosive next couple of games. This being Game 3, it’s reasonable to expect that the intensity and physicality will ramp up even more. The big question is which team will be able to ride that intensity and play through the physicality to keep focused on the ultimate goal — getting the victory and moving within one win of the Commish Cup Finals.

Here are some things to watch in this game:

1. TOO MUCH BLUR

Needless to say, one guy who really took over, especially in the endgame, was Asia’s #1 PG, Jayson Castro. He was just all over the floor and played really really well on both ends. He typified TNT’s intensity throughout the game and made big shots to keep PUR at bay in the final period. If the Blur continues to stamp his class in Game 3, PUR will be in for a long night.

Game 2: 21pts, 7rebrs, 4 asts, 1blk, 9/16 FGs, 2 triples.

2. IVAN’S STRUGGLES

It was good that Castro was on-target, because, once again, import Ivan Johnson struggled. Johnson shot just 26.1% from the floor in Game 2 and finished with a conference-low 16 points. It was the worst game so far of his PBA stint, and he will surely want to bounce back strong in Game 3.

First 7 games: 33.9ppg, 14.4rpg, 3.7 triples per game, 50.6 FG% 40.6 3pt%

Games 1 & 2: 24.5ppg, 14.0rpg, 1.5 triples per game, 38.0 FG%, 20.0 3pt%

3. ALL ABOUT BALANCE

Another positive for TNT in Game 2 was the fact that six Texters finished with double-digit scoring. Aside from Castro and Johnson, Jay Washington, Kevin Alas, Larry Fonacier, and Ranidel De Ocampo all scored 10 points or more to help TNT have a balanced offensive attack. Alas, in particular, was huge as he provided a big spark off the bench in the third period when PUR was threatening to take control. If TNT continues to spread the wealth and enjoy balanced production, they should be in good shape in Game 3.

Larry Fonacier also stood out as the former Gilas and Ateneo stalwart recorded maybe his best game of the season yet. He was doing everything — scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and defending well. He was huge in Game 2, and he will remain a vital cog for TNT to win

RDO: 14pts, 10rebs, 3 triples

J-Wash: 12pts, 3rebs, 2 triples

Alas: 12pts, 4rebs, 1stl, 2 triples

Larry: 10pts, 6rebs, 7asts, 2stls, 2 triples

4. BOUNCING ON THE BOARDS

In Game 1, TNT was outrebounded by PUR, 43-54, but the Texters turned the tables in Game 2, outworking PUR on the glass, 56-41. RDO and Johnson combined to grab 30 boards, while TNT didn’t allow any PUR player to take more than 8 rebounds. If TNT can continue to bounce on the boards and control the rebounding, they should be the favorites to win Game 3.

Game 1: TNT 43, PUR 54

Bowles – 10rebs

Devance – 11rebs

Game 2: TNT 56, PUR 41

Johnson – 20rebs

RDO – 10rebs

5. BOWLES GOT HIS BUCKETS

As great as TNT played, however, they still couldn’t really put the clamps on Denzel Bowles, who recorded another great game. Bowles has scored 30 or more points in all but one of his contests so far, and he was dominant again in Game 2, putting up 35 markers on 54.5% FG shooting. He’ll need to be more aggressive in getting those rebounds, but it’s clear that nobody on TNT can really stop him from getting his buckets.

Conference stats: 33.7ppg, 12.6rpg, 3.8apg, 2.8bpg, 52.4 FG%

Semis stats: 42.0ppg, 9.0rpg, 3.0apg, 2.5bpg, 60.3 FG%

6. CRAZY COMBO

The immortal guard combo of PJ Simon and James Yap also provided a lot of lift for PUR in Game 2. They combined to score 25 points, but they were the only locals to break into double-figure scoring for the Hotshots. If they can continue to put the pressure on TNT’s perimeter D in Game 3, it should open up more scoring opportunities for Bowles, Pingris, and Devance in the paint. They missed an awful lot of shots, though, so they will need to be more efficient.

Combined Comm Cup stats: 20.1ppg, 2.1apg, 46.7 FG%

Game 2 combined: 25pts, 3asts, 40.9 FG%

7. HOTSHOTS’ SHOOTING WOES

Speaking of missing shots, PUR didn’t live up to its moniker as they missed 46 of their 71 field goals. They only really made a game of it because they were aggressive and this was rewarded with 29 free throws (they made 21). Melton, Mallari, Barroca, Ping, Maliksi, and JDV all failed to find the bottom of the net in Game 2. That’s just unacceptable. For PUR to recover, they’ll need more scoring from their locals.

Combined FG shooting of Melton, Mallari, Barroca, Ping, Maliksi, and JDV in Game 1: 9/27 FGs

Combined FG shooting of Melton, Mallari, Barroca, Ping, Maliksi, and JDV in Game 2: 0/15 FGs

8. KILLED IN THE PAINT AND IN TRANSITION

As a team, PUR wasn’t only killed on the boards, but also in terms of inside scoring and fastbreak points. PUR forced more TNT turnovers (17), but they trailed in pts off TOs (15-17). PUR was also outmuscled underneath as they were -30 in pts in the paint, -14 in 2nd chance pts, and -9 in fastbreak pts. It’s quite uncharacteristic for a Tim Cone-coached team to fall behind this much in the playoffs, so this was a big surprise. Needless to say, these will need to be addressed in Game 3.

Pts in the Paint: TNT 52, PUR 22

2nd Chance Pts: TNT 18, PUR 4

Fastbreak Pts: TNT 15, PUR 6

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