Battle of titans

It’s difficult to rate which semifinal series is tougher to predict an outcome because both are equally tight with every team hungry to make it to the next level. San Miguel Beer didn’t make it to the semis in the last two conferences but qualified in four of the previous seven. Top-seed TNT reached the finals in two of the last three conferences but never ascended the throne. For the record, SMB and TNT have clashed in five finals since 2000 with the Tropang Giga winning only once. TNT’s only championship at SMB’s expense came with coach Chot Reyes in the saddle and now he’s back for a repeat performance although in the semis. Coach Leo Austria has bagged eight titles with SMB so he knows what winning’s about.

Meralco is making its second appearance in a Philippine Cup semis after a losing debut in the Clark bubble last year. The Bolts have never won a PBA title but battled in three Governors Cup finals, losing to Ginebra each time. Coach Norman Black’s last PBA title was with TNT in 2012-13 so like Reyes, he’s overdue. Magnolia finished second in the 2019 Philippine Cup then failed to advance to the semis in the next three conferences, meaning the Hotshots can’t wait for another shot at the crown they last held with coach Chito Victolero in the 2017-18 Governors Cup.

Each team in the semis retooled from the Clark bubble and that’s why they’re reaping the benefits. SMB, for instance, brought in CJ Perez and got back Fajardo. TNT reactivated Kelly Williams and welcomed Mikey Williams, Brian Heruela, Dave Marcelo, Chris Exciminiano, Glenn Khobuntin, Chris Javier and Gryann Mendoza. Reyes reassembled the corps to fit his razzle-dazzle defensive system. Meralco recruited Mac Belo and Alvin Pasaol plus activated Noy Baclao as Black gathered pieces to reinforce his lineup. Magnolia got a boost with Calvin Abueva and rookie Jerrick Ahanmisi has shown flashes of brilliance.

The SMB-TNT series is a classic offense-defense duel. SMB is No. 1 in offense (97.8) and field goal percentage (45.4) but is second in most turnovers (17.2). TNT is No. 2 in defense (78.9), No. 1 in steals (9.5), No. 1 in turnover points (22.7), No. 1 in field goal percentage allowed (37.4) and No. 1 in opponents’ turnovers (18.9). Seven Beermen are averaging in double figure points and eight are logging at least 20 minutes a game, indicating a widespread distribution of minutes. Three TNT players are averaging in twin digit points and seven are logging at least 20 minutes. Reyes’ suffocating pressure/trap defense will try to keep the ball away from SMB’s bigs and prevent an easy advance to the frontcourt. This battle will be decided in the backcourt. In the elims, SMB handed TNT its only loss so far, 83-67.

Meralco has won five of its last six with its only loss an 81-80 cliffhanger to NLEX. The Bolts beat Magnolia, 95-94, in the elims so that’s no yardstick of superiority. Meralco is No. 1 in rebounds (53.9), second chance points (17.7), least assists allowed (15.2) and least rebounds allowed (44.8). Black has transformed his team into a scrappy two-way unit with size, range and tenacity. Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, Raymond Almazan, Bong Quinto, Allein Maliksi, Reynel Hugnatan, Nards Pinto, Belo, Pasaol, Anjo Caram and Aaron Black (if healthy) form a strong rotation. Magnolia is also on a roll, winning its last four with Abueva and Jio Jalalon contributing big numbers off the bench. The Hotshots are No. 3 in offense (93.6), No. 1 in assists (20.4), No. 2 in second chance points (16.9) and No. 3 in turnover points (19.8). Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca, Rome de la Rosa, Abueva, Jalalon, Jackson Corpuz, Aris Dionisio, Kyle Pascual, Ahanmisi and Rafi Reavis comprise as solid a rotation as Meralco. They’re just as versatile as the Bolts so this series is expected to go down to the wire like SMB-TNT.