Rocking the Boat

It’s not like they’ve never matched up before. Magnolia’s Tyler Bey and San Miguel Beer’s Bennie Boatwright have dueled since their NCAA days although not on a marquee platform. They know each other well. In the raging PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, their mano-a-mano battle is on center stage, like a boxing match between Ali and Frazier. Who’s who isn’t determined at the moment. When the series ends, we’ll find out.

For Boatwright, it’s been rough sailing in Manila Bey the last two games of the Finals. Bey is rocking the Boat and coach Jorge Gallent’s challenge is to figure out a way to get his main man back on track. In the elims, Boatwright was virtually unstoppable, averaging 40.3 points and shooting .429 from beyond the arc. In the Finals, his clip has dipped to 26.3.  In Game Four last Friday, Boatwright was held to a conference-low 16 points and knocked down only 1-of-9 threes. In Game Two which San Miguel won, he erupted for 34 points and buried 7-of-16 triples.

Bey has been designated as Boatwright’s primary defender. In Game Three which Magnolia won, Bey sacrificed his offense to focus on making life miserable for Boatwright. Bey finished with a conference-low 11 points while Boatwright netted 27 but shot only 35.7 percent from the floor, 30.8 percent from three. Boatwright struggled for every point as Bey wouldn’t allow a good look. Bey went over screens, kept in step whenever Boatwright drove in and stayed home on the perimeter. In Game Four, Bey did the same thing and this time, Boatwright showed signs of wearing out, shooting only 5-of-16.

Magnolia’s defense has been the difference in the last two outings, limiting San Miguel to an average of 82.5 points when in the first two encounters, the Beermen hit at a 106 clip. In the elims, San Miguel averaged 23.5 assists. In the last two games of the Finals, it was down to 15.5, indicating Magnolia’s success in obstructing the passing lanes and forcing San Miguel to play one-on-one.

Coach Chito Victolero’s gambit of playing small is paying off dividends. The Hotshots are setting the tone with guard play on both ends. Rafi Reavis, James Laput and Abu Tratter aren’t getting their usual minutes because of the small lineup but they know the adjustment was necessary to bring Magnolia’s pace back. The Hotshots’ productivity off the bench has been a factor with Victolero’s deeper rotation pressing the action. Magnolia’s bench is averaging 38.8 points in the Finals compared to San Miguel’s 23.5. In Game Four, San Miguel tried to match Magnolia’s feisty play by also going small but it’s not the Beermen’s style not to play big.

Adjustments will be made in Game Five tonight. If June Mar Fajardo isn’t 100 percent, it will mean realigning the frontcourt and moving Boatwright to center or playing Mo Tautuaa more in the middle. Terrence Romeo’s absence is telling and if he’s back on the court, it will draw attention from Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca. The Martilyo Boys will need to be more daring with Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz and Jeron Teng on the attack. San Miguel’s offense can’t afford to sputter. The Beermen haven’t lost three in a row this conference but Magnolia is out to extend their skid.