The intriguing PBA

Alaska coach Tim Cone said what’s intriguing about the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Samsung Governors Cup is despite the two-import format, the locals seem to be deciding the outcome of the games.

"It’s not just the imports," noted Cone. "It’s the contribution of the locals. Take the case of Talk ‘N Text. As good as (Jerald) Honeycutt was, they wouldn’t have topped the eliminations if not for Mark Telan, Vic Pablo, and the rest of the locals. In the semifinals, (Estong) Ballesteros was the key for Coca-Cola in Game 4 and (Kerby) Raymundo for Purefoods in Game 5. And in our series against San Miguel, it was Don (Allado) in Game 4 and John (Arigo) in Game 5. I’m wondering which locals will step up in the Finals. The secret isn’t two imports dominating and the locals just standing around. The secret is getting the locals involved."

Tonight, Alaska begins its quest for an 11th PBA title as the Aces battle Purefoods in a best-of-7 series for the Samsung Governors Cup crown.

On paper, it looks like a classic war pitting defense versus offense. Alaska is the league’s No. 1 defensive team, giving up only 67.7 points in 17 games so far. In its 10 wins, the Aces conceded only 60.6 points. Purefoods, in contrast, likes to light up the boards and is averaging 80.2 points.

Tender Juicy Hot Dogs’ interim coach Ryan Gregorio said he’s enjoying the ride, filling in for Eric Altamirano, and couldn’t ask for more from his overachieving players. He’s got a jewel of an import in Derrick Brown and a hard-working role player in Kelvin Price. In the San Miguel series, Gregorio saw how Alaska ripped the zone to shreds with radar-like outside shooting so he’ll likely play man-to-man and take his chances in matching up.

Gregorio’s background is steeped in basketball and the academe. His father Martin played for the University of the Philippines (UP) varsity in Iloilo, his home province, and is the Vice President for Administration and a Spanish professor at UP Diliman. His mother Lucille is a science specialist working for the United Nations in Bangkok. His brothers Patrick and Allan both saw action for the UP juniors varsity. And he himself played for the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP. The fourth of five children, Gregorio has an older sister Cecile and a younger sister Tin Tin.

Gregorio said he hopes his mother flies in next week to watch some of the Finals games. He also draws inspirations from his wife of two years — Jin Salgado and their baby daughter Ysabelle. Sometimes, his wife and baby watch the games in the stadium. Sometimes, on TV. "My baby embraces the Santo Niño when she watches me on TV," said Gregorio, a devout Catholic.

In the final seconds of the Coca-Cola series, Gregorio said he just closed his eyes and prayed to the Lord, "Thy will be done." And so it was.

Gregorio, 30, is the third youngest coach to lift his team to the Finals. The youngest ever was Tommy Manotoc who was 29 when he piloted U-Tex to the 1978 Open Conference crown. And the second youngest was Chot Reyes who was also 29 and a few months older than Manotoc when he took Coney Island to the 1993 All Filipino title.

Cone, 44, has brought Alaska to 17 Finals and 10 championships. And he clinched a Finals berth at San Miguel Beer’s expense last Thursday without team owner Fred Uytengsu and his wife Kerrie in the stands–they were abroad in Shanghai. The Uytengsus never fail to watch the Aces play when they’re in town and are expected back today to cheer Alaska in Game 1 of the Finals.

Cone said he was supposed to attend a tryout camp for 64 elite players in Eugene, Oregon, this weekend but sent assistant Luigi Trillo instead because of Alaska’s "surprise" Finals appearance. Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes left Manila yesterday to attend the camp and his assistant Biboy Ravanes will call the shots for the Tigers in the one-game playoff for third spot against San Miguel tonight.

Gregorio said because his veterans aren’t "spring chickens" anymore, Alaska has the edge in a long series. But Cone dismissed it, pointing to Derrick Brown, Richard Yee, Kerby Raymundo and Roger Yap as the Hot Dogs’ rabbits who never tire out. Gregorio also said he expects Alaska to play a defensive, drag-out, and therefore "ugly" series but while Cone admitted he will focus on controlling the tempo to force a halfcourt duel, he remarked the Aces will run whenever there’s an opportunity.

Here’s how the teams stack up in 15 critical departments.

Coaching. Cone’s been there, done that. Gregorio hasn’t. Cone’s ability to adjust is a valuable asset. Gregorio is basically untested but has been a revelation as an interim coach. Still, the experience factor will go a long way in a pressure-packed series. Edge: Alaska.

Imports. Brown is the yardstick and more than compensates for Kelvin Price’s lack of offense. The consolation is Price is a blue-collar worker who’s willing to sacrifice his body on defense. Ron Riley isn’t as prolific as Brown but he’s a leader on the court. Cone predicted erratic James Head will rise to the occasion in the Finals with his Mario Bennett headache gone for good. Edge: Purefoods.

Firepower. When Purefoods is hot, the Hot Dogs are tough to stop. They averaged 84.3 points in their 12 wins and only 70.4 in their five losses. The difference is glaring. Brown is hitting at a 29.9 clip and while no local is averaging in twin digits, Gregorio can count on at least four mainstays to provide offensive backup. Edge: Purefoods.

Stinginess. Alaska is the league’s Mr. Scrooge. There’s no less generous team. The Aces clog up the middle, trap in the backcourt, double on the low block, zone, play man-to-man, and do whatever is necessary to take the opposing team out of its rhythm. Cone is relentless when it comes to defense and so are his players. Edge: Alaska.

Hunger. Alaska didn’t make it to a single Finals last year. Neither did Purefoods. The Hot Dogs haven’t won a title since the 1997 All-Filipino Cup. Alaska’s last crown came in the 2000 All-Filipino Cup. Alvin Patrimonio and Ronnie Magsanoc are hungrier than ever. They want to prove a point–that they’re far from over the hill, that they’re still capable of leading their team all the way to the top. Edge: Purefoods.

Chemistry. This is all about sacrificing individual goals and playing as ateam. Both Cone and Gregorio are sticklers when it comes to defining their players’ roles so there’s little confusion on the floor in execution. The Hot Dogs seem to be more cohesive on and off the court–it shows in how they comport themselves. Edge: Purefoods.

Experience. Jojo Lastimosa has tons of experience under his belt. Same with Alvin, Ronnie, Rey Evangelista, and Brown. Down Alaska’s bench sits veteran Alvin Teng. In terms of nucleus players, the Hot Dogs show more poise. Edge: Purefoods.

Execution. Discipline is Alaska’s trademark and that’s what it takes to execute on both ends. If the triangle doesn’t work, the Aces regroup and adjust. Cone is probably the most intelligent coach there is and he reads the opposing defense like a book. Edge: Alaska.

Backcourt. Arigo, Rodney Santos, Lastimosa, and Riley form a formidable guards corps. Cone has the luxury of shuffling his backcourtmen when he opts to play big or small. Magsanoc’s thigh is hurting and it’s not sure how far he can go in the Finals, putting a lot of pressure on Yap to step up. Edge: Alaska.

Depth. Both teams play an 8-man rotation but Cone could bring in Teng, Eric Reyes, Migs Noble, and Richie Ticzon in case he’s forced to stretch his lineup. In a long series, the availability of warm bodies is a big plus. Edge: Alaska.

Frontline. Raymundo, Patrimonio, and Yee are tough in the trenches. Throw in Jolly Escobar, Bonel Balingit, and Chris Cantonjos for good measure. Price is Purefoods’ anchor on defense–he plays either four or five and his performance will be critical in the Finals. Edge: Purefoods.

Size. Bryan Gahol and James Wallkvist provide extended ceiling for Alaska. If Cone decides to go big, the Aces will outsize any combination that Gregorio throws because his guards are undersized. Edge: Alaska.

Quickness. The younger legs should prevail in a footrace. Santos and Arigo are two of the quickiest 1-2 guards in the league. Riley is an excellent finisher on the break. Gahol is a galloper, too. Edge: Alaska.

Resiliency. The Aces adjust and readjust according to how Cone sees the game evolving. Alaska looks for mismatches, exploits the other team’s weaknesses, and never gives an inch in a war of attrition. Pacing is important and that’s where Alaska’s depth is key. Edge: Alaska.

Unflappability. Down the stretch, Purefoods is difficult to beat because Brown is such a tireless workhorse. Brown and Patrimonio make a living in the fourth period with the game on the line. They epitomize the clutch player. It’s like Flight and Captain Lionheart reserve their best for the last. Edge: Purefoods.

In sum, Alaska has the edge if the series extends to six or seven games and Purefoods the advantage if the Hot Dogs get the jump on the Aces early and end it in four or five.