Game 4: Key to PBA finals

It all depends on what happens in tonight’s Game 4 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Pop Cola coach Chot Reyes says if San Miguel Beer wins, it’s "very, very possible" the Beermen would go on to capture the crown – perhaps, in seven. But if Red Bull opens a 3-1 series lead, then San Miguel might just as well kiss goodbye its Grand Slam dreams.

"Momentum hasn’t shifted," notes Reyes. "Red Bull is still up, 2-1, and was in Game 3 all the way. If Kerby (Raymundo) didn’t get thrown out, the outcome could’ve been different. Any way you look at it, Game 4 is the pivotal match in the series."

Reyes says San Miguel has too little time to make adjustments for Game 4 but if the Beermen manage to tie the series tonight, anything can happen. He says coach Joseph Uichico must consider other offensive options for Danny Seigle – not just the low post but setting him up with screens and getting more movement in the halfcourt.

"It’s turned out to be a slam-bang series," adds Reyes. "The worst thing that happened to San Miguel was when Red Bull beat Purefoods in the semifinals." That’s because Red Bull, more than Purefoods, matches up tough against San Miguel.

Shell coach Perry Ronquillo says oddsmakers can never underestimate San Miguel’s "heart of a champion" even as he predicted Red Bull to clinch in six before the start of the Finals.

Ronquillo says it’s a tribute to coach Yeng Guiao that the Thunder has gone this far in the best-of-7 series. "Yeng has a great attitude and it’s rubbed off on his players," explains Ronquillo. "He’s consistent. He’s unconventional. He takes chances. And he lets his players go on the court."

Ronquillo says Red Bull’s size has been a big headache for the Beermen.

"Take (DaVonn) Harp," continues Ronquillo. "He’s quick for a center. He can score even if he’s not a shooter. He’s quick enough to defend the wing against Seigle and he’s also quick enough to defend the post against (Danny) Ildefonso."

Harp’s ability to cover Ildefonso one-on-one has been the key to limiting San Miguel’s perimeter points. Guiao has the luxury of defending Ildefonso without resorting to a double team.

"Then there’s a guy like (Jimwell) Torion," says Ronquillo. "Say what you will about him – that he holds the ball too long and makes poor decisions. But he penetrates the defense – he’s got guts – and can hit the outside shot. He makes things happen on the floor."

Ronquillo says if San Miguel brought in an import who plays center like Terquin Mott or Stephen Howard, the Beermen wouldn’t be in such a predicament. "Mott’s mere presence inside would’ve been intimidating," he adds. "Purefoods took Red Bull to the limit in the semifinals because the Hot Dogs’ import was a center (David Wood) who could dominate the boards and make it difficult for Red Bull to score inside."

Still, Ronquillo isn’t discounting the possibility of San Miguel resurrecting because "it’s been there and done that."

If anything, it’s championship experience that will bring San Miguel back in the series.

Incidentally, Reyes and Ronquillo face off in a 10 a.m. practice game on Tuesday at the RFM Gym.

Both Pop Cola and Shell are unveiling new imports in the Governors Cup starting Sept. 9. Pop Cola, which will be known as the Swift Panthers starting the Third Conference, will suit up Rosell Ellis of McNeese State while Shell’s import is Askia (Ski) Jones of Kansas State.

Ellis, 26, averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds for McNeese State as a senior in 1996-97. He came here last May to play for Mobiline but left before the Commissioner’s Cup started when he learned that the Phone Pals brought in a standby import.

Jones, 29, played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1994-95 National Basketball Association (NBA) season. He shot 62 points in a 1994 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) quarterfinal game against Fresno State. His father Wali played 11 years in the pros and saw action for the 1966-67 NBA champion Philadelphia 76ers.