SMB vs GSM: Too close to call

MANILA, Philippines — Defending PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion San Miguel Beer and reigning two-time Governors Cup titlist Barangay Ginebra begin their best-of-seven finale at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow in a series topbilled as a fight for the ages.

PBA officials and fans predict a showdown to remember between the two teams touted as the best of their time and probably among the best of all time.

Though both struggled at the start of the tourney, they picked up their games late in the elims with the Beermen and the Gin Kings hoping to ride the momentum of their post-elims romps for the coveted second conference crown.

Interestingly, the two teams had identical 11-6 win-loss marks through the semifinals.

By the numbers, the two teams are almost equal. The glaring differences are San Miguel Beer’s advantage on points-for and Ginebra’s advantage on points allowed to its opponent.

Thus technically, it’s a series of offense versus defense.

The Beermen are No. 2 in the tourney on offense, averaging 106.35 points a game as against the Kings’ 98.82. But Ginebra is No. 3 on defense, giving away only 93.5 points as against SMB’s 103.

San Miguel has the edge on rebounds, 53.3-52.8, but Ginebra is up on assists, 26.1-24.2.

SMB does better in blocking shots, 5.8-3.7, but Ginebra gets more steals, 9.1-8.8.

The Beermen score more fastbreak points, 16.1-11, but the Kings hit better from beyond the arc with their 33.2-percent clip as against SMB’s 31.7 percent.

Another key advantage for the Beermen is their more frequent trips to the line. Because of the constant double-teaming defense drawn by June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel is the runaway winner in free throws in the tournament with a total of 452. Rain or Shine is second with 427 and Ginebra third with 395.

But with Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar, Ginebra may not need to double up on Fajardo.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone is confident they have the defensive skills to match up with the Beermen and they have the offensive weapons to battle with SMB’s.

 Justin Brownlee and Renaldo Balkman themselves sport almost identical numbers.