Championship experience may spell difference between SMB, TNT in PBA Finals

MANILA, Philippines – In a series where both teams appear evenly matched, championship experience might be the deciding factor as the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-7 finals tip off on Wednesday, June 21, at 7 pm.

(LIVE BLOG: 2017 PBA Finals Game 1 – San Miguel Beermen vs TNT KaTropa)

The San Miguel Beermen and the TNT KaTropa are both loaded with talented players but a key difference lies in their championship experience.

The Beermen have the definitive edge in that department as they gun for their fifth title in two years, including a Philippine Cup Triple Crown completed this season, all under the stewardship of coach Leo Austria.

TNT, on the other hand, is back in the finals for the first time since the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup, when they went on to bring home the championship.

“Maybe we have championship experience and we have that advantage, people perceive us as powerhouse,” Austria conceded before cautioning against taking the KaTropa lightly.

“But if you look at TNT masyadong deep ‘yung bench nila (their bench is very deep).”

Coach Nash Racela holds a similar view. TNT had Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Ryan Reyes, Harvey Carey, and Kelly Williams during its last title run, but none of its key young players like Mo Tautuaa, Troy Rosario, RR Pogoy, and Anthony Semerad were there for it.

“I agree with Coach Leo that if there’s any advantage San Miguel has against us it’s their championship experience. Of the 15 players we have, only 6 have PBA Finals experience,” he noted. “That of course works for them. I’m hoping the young guys take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Beermen’s championship experience is extra intimidating because this is the same team that made history as the first to come back from a 0-3 series deficit and win it all over a year ago.

Austria, for his part, will also be up against a PBA Finals rookie coach in Racela, who made the jump from the UAAP this season and sees the Beermen as the “barometer” for the league after a dominant run these past few years.

“SMB is the barometer, so it’s nice to get an opportunity to play the best,” Racela said.

But Austria was also right to point out TNT’s deep bench.

Bench contribution has been a significant flaw of this San Miguel team over the years, with its prolific starters usually carrying the load. But when off-nights inevitably arrive, a more productive bench serves as a much-needed pressure relief valve.

TNT has such players as evidenced by a 45.2 to 22 bench points average advantage over SMB through the conference so far.

TNT’s hulking import Josh Smith is likewise an edge, despite his injury. Smith, who hurt his foot in the semifinals against Barangay Ginebra, is still being treated as day-to-day but will be playing in Game 1.

He caused major problems for the Gin Kings, but the Beermen are better equipped to handle Smith with June Mar Fajardo and import Charles Rhodes.

SMB’s challenge in the past few days has been whether to prepare for Smith or back-up import Mike Myers, who arrived last week and is on standby in case Smith’s injury sidelines him.

“Every game, every practice we try to prepare hard,” Austria said. “I believe that if you prepare in body and mind, whatever situation, you can handle it.” – Rappler.com