SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MANILA, Philippines – The PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals is upon us and the games are about to get even more exciting.
Two teams made it to the semifinals outright – San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. While 8 more teams battle for the last two remaining semifinals slots.
Our 3-on-3 panel looks at the teams competing for the right to face Rain or Shine, their thoughts on the match-ups, who should step-up, and who will ultimately face the Elasto Painters.
Thoughts on the match-ups
Jane Bracher: Alaska started this conference strong at 6-0 but faltered towards the end of the eliminations. If you’re a fan, you’d see that as necessary losses and lessons learned to set them up for the playoffs. They should emerge victorious over 10th-ranked NLEX, though NLEX, with their dedication to playing defense, could steal one game.
Purefoods-Meralco is perhaps the most difficult to judge among the quarterfinals pairings. It can go either way with two great coaching minds in Norman Black and Tim Cone duking it out once more. But I think Purefoods simply has the tools and the pieces at this point. Whereas Black is only handling this team for the first time this conference. However, factoring in Purefoods struggles throughout the conference, it’s probable Meralco will threaten with one win.
Naveen Ganglani: After a strong start, the Aces limped to a third place finish in the elimination round thanks to some unfortunate bounces against Rain or Shine. Nonetheless, Alaska remains one of the best teams in the league, if not the best. Calvin Abueva is playing at an MVP-like form while Eric Menk has been a solid piece off the bench. If Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio can return to peak condition, look out for the Aces.
Asi Taulava said after their loss to Barako Bull that no team will want to play them in the postseason because of their physicality. He’s right. But if there’s one squad that can match NLEX’s rough and rugged style of play, it’s Alaska. Asi and his Road Warriors will have their hands full.
Mark Pingris says the Hotshots lack the “gigil” they had during their past four championships. They still have him, however, along with Tim Cone, Joe Devance, James Yap, PJ Simon, Mark Barroca, and more. Purefoods may be in a twice-to-beat disadvantage situation, but rest assured they won’t come in as underdogs.
Meralco has been a solid team this season thanks in part to the strong play of Cliff Hodge, who’s averaging 13.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, and 1.3 BPG this conference. The Bolts, however, have been inconsistent. They didn’t have a winning streak that lasted more than two games in the elimination round, and even suffered through a stretch where they lost four of five contests. One of those defeats was against the Hotshots.
Rodneil Quiteles: NLEXs’ wings have been inconsistent at best and have relied on veteran big Asi Taulava to bail them out in the final period during some of the games in elimination. Alaska has a plethora of bigs it can throw at Asi to give him different looks. There’s Sonny Thoss, Samigue Eman, and Taulava’s long time rival Eric Menk.
On the other hand, NLEX has no one it can throw at Calvin Abueva. “The Beast” has been playing out of his mind this conference and has shown no signs of slowing down. Alaska wins this unless Mac Cardona and KG Canaleta find the bottom of the net consistently in two straight games.
On Purefoods vs Meralco: This is easily the most interesting quarterfinals pairing. Purefoods’ title defense hasn’t been easy. After a bumpy elimination round ride, they find themselves needing to win two straight games against Meralco – a team that has also had an equally bumpy elimination round.
The Bolts will have two chances to end the Star Hotshots’ championship streak at 4, that is if they can go on offensive streaks of their own. In their last game against GlobalPort, head coach Norman Black praised the way his team played defense but said their offense needs work and he’s right.
Purefoods hasn’t found their rhythm at all this conference but have time and again proven that they can pick things up when it matters most.
Which player/s are X-factors, or who should step-up?
Calvin Abueva, I believe, will once more prove he tips the scale for the Aces. He’ll give NLEX problems all over the floor. For NLEX, I think it’ll be KG Canaleta. But that’s if Alaska’s defense lets him get his way.
I think we are all due for another splendid performance from Purefoods’ big 3 of Marc Pingris, James Yap and PJ Simon. On the other hand, Meralco needs all of its key players – Cliff Hodge, Jared Dillinger, Gary David, Reynel Hugnatan, John Wilson – to have a good night in order to overcome Purefoods. It’s best to finish the Hotshots off in one game.
For Purefoods, if Mick Pennisi can be a solid contributor off the bench, that would be more than welcome. The Hotshots have yet to make-up for the absence of Ian Sangalang, who was lost to a torn ACL. Pennisi’s versatility can become a dangerous weapon in the Triangle.
For Meralco to win, Norman Black needs to find a way to out-coach Cone. The last two playoff series between the two – when Black was still with TNT – has gone to Purefoods’ coach, who seems to prepare really well for Black. With a new roster this time, Coach Norman must find new ways to attack Cone’s gameplan.
If Gary David catches fire then Purefoods will have a hard time defending their title.
And as mentioned earlier, Cardona and Canaleta both need to find their shots consistently for NLEX to have any hope of advancing.
Who advances to the semis and why?
Ultimately, I see this as an Alaska-Purefoods tussle in the knockouts. And I will dare to say that Alaska will win it because Purefoods, despite its string of victories to catch up towards the end of the eliminations, still aren’t back to their championship form.
Purefoods in two games. The San Mig Coffee Mixers used to flip the switch in the playoffs, and I think they do it again this time despite the name change. In late close battles, I trust Yap-Pingris-Barroca-Simon.
Alaska. The Beast. Enough said.
Read the 3-on-3 on the San Miguel Beer bracket.
We are sure you have you’re on picks too. Let us know your thoughts on the comments below! – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.