Defense vs Offense

By Waylon Galvez

What happens when an irresistible force collides with an immovable object?

The answer will be known starting tomorrow when Talk ‘N Text, the league’s top offensive team, takes on Alaska Milk, the No. 1 defensive team, at the start of their best-of-seven championship series in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coaches Chot Reyes of TNT and Tim Cone of Alaska declined to make a prediction, but jaded observers expect a drawn-out series.

"The team that controls the tempo, controls the series," Cone said during the PBA Finals press conference yesterday at the Emerald Restaurant in Roxas Blvd. in Manila. "That’s the important thing in this series. Can we control it with our defense? Or can they control it with their open court offense?"

The Tropang Texters, in the finals for the seventh time in franchise history, are the only team to average over 100 points in the conference.

The Aces, on the other hand, hold their opponents to an average of 83.88 points a game, the best in the league.

But while Alaska excels in defense, TNT holds a big edge in the rebounding department, averaging 51.71 recoveries as against the Aces’ 45.42.

However, the Aces force their opponents to an average of 22.13 turnovers as opposed to the Texters’ 18.75.

The contrast is evident in how both teams disposed of their rivals in the semifinals.

TNT outgunned San Miguel, 116-115, while Alaska subdued Sta. Lucia, 87-83, last Sunday at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

Alaska is in the finals for the 22nd time in team history, and 20th under Cone, who joined the Wilfred Uytengsu-franchise in summer of 1989.

Cone is not only hoping to win his 13th title, but give the team the same number of championships, a feat that would match the fabled Crispa at the No. 2 spot in the all-time list winners behind San Miguel Beer’s 17.

While this will mark only the second time that Alaska and TNT are clashing in the finals, the Aces beat the Texters in seven games during the 2006-07 Fiesta Cup -- Cone will face-off with one-time assistant Reyes for the fifth time.

The last time the two coaches met in the finals was in the 2002 AFC where Reyes steered Coca-Cola to the title against Cone’s Aces.

Reyes, who served as one of Cone’s assistant coaches with Alaska in the early 90s, said that he and Cone are similar in many ways like taking advantage and playing with the "strength of our personnel."

For instance, Reyes benefits from having the offense of Mark Cardona, who averaged 22.7 points in the elimination round. He torched San Miguel with 34 points in the series clinching Game 6.

Aside from Cardona, Reyes can also rely on playmaker Jimmy Alapag, who averaged 18.7 in the semifinals, as well as rookie Jared Dillinger, brothers Yancy and Ranidel de Ocampo and Renren Ritualo.

Harvey Carey and rookie Jason Castro are also expected to play important roles in the TNT’s title campaign.

"On our part, my concern is our ability to score against a defensive team like Alaska. Can we score against Alaska’s defense? Also, another concern is our ability to defend against Alaska’s ‘triangle’ offense," Reyes said.

The Aces’ ‘triangle’ offense runs through former two-time MVP and ex-TNT player Willie Miller, who averaged 17.1 points this conference, as well as sophomore forward Joe Devance (12.8 points) and point guard LA Tenorio (11.5, 4.4 assists).

Also expected to play important parts for Alaska’s bid to win title No. 13 are veteran guard Jeffrey Cariaso, bigmen Reynel Hugnatan, Sonny Thoss and John Ferriols, as well as wingman Tony dela Cruz.

Matching up is another concern, according to Cone, and what excites him most is the Tenorio-Alapag battle.

"It’s an interesting battle," Cone said. "LA can do it with both speed and heart like Jimmy. Although Jimmy is a better shooter and a master of open court game, LA is a better defender."


http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT20090127146680.html