I am a basketball fan, and I enjoyed the SMC-BGK series immensely, despite not rooting for anyone in particular. However, as a fan that (at least I'd like to believe) has an above-average understanding of the game, I have grown to love the way that Rain or Shine plays the game. I have been rooting for Rain or Shine since they traded away Sol Mercado; the same time they got the outspoken Coach Yeng Guiao to take the helm for their team. Coach Yeng just made lineups work. He was leading the Red Bull franchise to multiple playoff and finals appearances despite management constantly trading away his main guys. I'd hate to say "the team plays with heart" because I have conceded that UST concept to Gilas. RoS just plays hard and does not give up. In a word, "palaban". The team doesn't care if it's down 16 heading to the fourth quarter, and they don't need a whole arena chanting their name to make a run. The team is bigger than any individual player. Gabe Norwood is arguably the biggest name in terms of basketball, and Chris Tiu may be the biggest name in the team in general, but both concede their roles to whoever Coach Yeng says.
And now, here we are again, no import to reinforce both sides, no political campaigns to worry about. Rain Or Shine is back in the Finals. I have little doubt in my mind that we will take this series. Since I won't be able to watch the first game tomorrow, I leave this as my contribution to the team. Here is how I see our opponents:
*NOTE: All photos from Google. Not taking credit for any of it. I note those without watermarks.
Backcourt:
Mark Barroca
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| Size doesn't matter for Barroca *Photo from Inquirer Sports |
When You See Him: A little before the end of the first quarter or starts the second quarter. Depending on the flow of the game, he'll be in the middle of the third until the end of the game, with a brief spell in the break or he'll sit out for a hotter player on the court.
Strengths: Speed, playmaking, and pesky defense. Knows how to use the board or his body when going up against big guys down the lane.
Weaknesses: Sometimes gets a little too eager getting the ball and gets called for petty fouls. Blocking the passing lanes late will throw him off; he has a tendency to look for the pass before setting his feet,making him susceptible to traps.
Stop Him With: Jireh Ibanez, Gabe Norwood either on him or to his favorite target. Paul Lee may not be able to keep up with him on a footrace. TY Tang will get called for fouls because he's not much of a star as Barroca is. Jeric Teng might be pulled out by Coach Yeng to handle this assignment from time to time. Chris Tiu is a candidate if only because he's a good basketball sense in him to figure something out. Ryan Arana will mess him up good. Yes, safe to say, I want just about everyone thrown at Barroca. Stopping Barroca is key for RoS; he may not be what LA is to Ginebra, but his teammates feed off his energy as much as they do off Pingris.
PJ Simon
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| That's not an awkward shot for him at all. |
When You See Him: Starting the game, mostly spelled by either Melton, Barroca, and for some reason, Mallari.
Strengths: A wild hot streak. When he's on, he is on. Almost automatic from three when he's free, has a midrange shot, and has that incredible floater.
Weaknesses: Off nights. It's sad but that's one of the primary ways he could be stopped. However, if his hop step in the lane is timed right for a defender to be right in front of him as he's about to take that floater, he usually hesitates and looks for the pass. Take that floater away, and he loses most of his offense, not allowing him to wax hot.
Stop Him With: Jireh Ibanez and Gabe Norwood are RoS' best defenders, and Simon being one of the best offensive weapons of SMC, it is only fitting one of these guys be on him.
Justin Melton
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| He's 5-11, can do that and more. |
When You See Him: Spelling for the starters, usually in tandem with Barroca. He's mostly seen on the front end of an Ian Sanggalang basket.
Strengths: Athletic, has nice handles, can shoot from the outside and has a nice defensive awareness. Height is no reason for him to not block shots.
Weaknesses: Being young, he's sometimes swayed by the crowd to do something more than what he's capable off. He also sometimes gets too flashy dribbling or passing the ball.
Stop Him With: Paul Lee and Ryan Arana will make this kid regret his flashiness. Alex Nuyles will one-up him on those athletic plays.
Alex Mallari
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| Not a point.. Yet? Coach Tim will tell. |
When You See Him: Start or mid second, when everyone needs a rest. Coach Tim likes his ball handlers tall, and Alex is one of his favorites despite not being too effective on the floor. He's either bricking shots, making dumb plays, or taking a free throw after the refs save his ass.
Strengths: Long and athletic, has slightly above average ball handling, has some mid to long range shots.
Weaknesses: Not too creative of a finisher, isn't consistent with his jump shot, is being experimented on to be a tall Magic-type point guard in the Triangle.
Stop Him With: Anyone not tasked to guard the main guys. I may be underestimating him, but unless he shows he's capable of doing what is expected of him, he doesn't warrant too much attention on defense. Jeff Chan and Paul Lee can take turns resting while marking him. Chris Tiu can out-Pogi him any day.
Swingmen:
James Yap
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| Will the shots fall as it did in Game 7? |
When You See Him: Shooting bricks when Kris Aquino isn't wishing him good luck. He starts and is plugged in when the Mixers need some offensive firepower.
Strengths: Strong presence on the court that draws defenders, not-a-million moves, exceptional shooting (when hot), good timing on rebounds
Weaknesses: Defense (though that has improved a bit over the years), cold spells, almost-predictable moves (always starts with a jab step or a head fake when he gets it facing the basket; at least one fake on the post before dribbling twice for a spinning fadeaway)
Stop Him With: Jeff Chan, Alex Nuyles, Ryan Arana, or Jireh Ibanez when he needs a rest. His shots will fall if he's hot, and no amount of defense can stop that. He just needs to be bothered, with people needing to front him. If he gets it from the elbow, he usually drives towards the basket than choosing the baseline.
Joe Devance
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| He can pass from everywhere. Expect it to be flashy. *Photo from Rappler |
When You See Him: Starting, getting most minutes in the middle of quarters (someone else starts and finishes the quarters for him after the first quarter).
Strengths: Size and agility that's almost unfair because he can shoot from the outside. Has nice court awareness to know where his teammates are to find them where they need the ball.
Weaknesses: Tries to be a guard a little too much sometimes. He'll opt for a fancy pass rather than just doing the right play. Has a volatile temper that can be abused by playing him physically. I'm calling for at least three techs on him if this series goes seven games.
Stop Him With: Gabe Norwood in a normal lineup featuring two other guards (Lee, Arana), and agile bigs like Raymond Almazan and Jervy Cruz in a big lineup featuring both Extra Rice boys. Beau Belga and Larry Rodriguez can try to mark him if Almazan is tasked to man the middle as a weakside defender.
Frontcourt:
Marc Pingris
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| This shot has been money for Ping. *Photo from Interaksyon.com |
When You See Him: Everywhere. Blocking, rebounding, doing his version of the bicep shot, scrambling on the floor, and guarding practically everyone on the opposing team.
Strengths: Boundless energy, impeccable timing on rebounds, excellent defender, an improved one-handed jumper, a strong post up game.
Weaknesses: I have no words. Fouls, probably, because he plays too physical. Dribbling, probably.
Stop Him With: Any able body. The Extra Rice boys won't be pushed around if he goes for a post up, but they won't be able to jump up and block his one-handers. Almazan WILL be pushed around, so the only way he'll be effective against Ping is if he stays as a help defender. Jervy might be able to defend him on the floor, but won't be able to contain him if he posts up. Rodriguez is two gulang points up from Ping; if he can't defend him, he might fish a foul from him.
Ian Sanggalang
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| Gained a lot of confidence going up against Ginebra in 7 games |
When You See Him: Mid to late first quarter, some stretches in the second and third, and if he's hot, he'll earn some for the fourth. He's usually on the receiving end of a Melton pass.
Strengths: Size advantage over the RoS big men, agile, has a midrange game, smart defender, long, and athletic.
Weaknesses: As a rookie, he hasn't shown some of the skills he did back in college; he's not much of a shot blocker now, and he's staying away from three point shots. He's easily rattled if he's too wide open.
Stop Him With: Extra Rice boys and Larry Rodriguez. I'm afraid that if Almazan picks him up, he reverts to his Baste form. RoS doesn't want him to gain confidence. I would've loved him to be on our team.
Rafi Reavis
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| Like Ping, he's agile enough to guard players smaller than him *photo from Yahoo Sports Ph |
When You See Him: Tapping missed free throws away from the rim. He usually starts the game for the Mixers, but is replaced by more capable scorers when they need it. He'll be in for crucial possessions where they need a rebound or a defensive stop.
Strengths: Long, agile, and athletic, the guy knows how to make use of his body and skills to the fullest. He doesn't score much (his hot Game 7 start isn't something you see everyday), because he understands his role in the team. High leaper, can get up to block shots or grab boards.
Weaknesses: Limited offensive game, mostly gets his points off offensive rebounds.
Stop Him With: Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, Jervy Cruz. The bigs just need to keep an eye on him and box him out. He's not an option on offense, but can hurt RoS with putbacks and offensive boards.
Yancy De Ocampo
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| A distributor off the post. |
Strengths: Veteran smarts, post passing
Weaknesses: Not too agile. He's generally an effective PF.
Stop Him With: Larry Rodriguez. Counter veteran smarts with another veteran.
Most Likely Effective Hugot:
JR Cawaling
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| Not much pictures of him in an SMC uniform, but he's a steal at the end of the SMC bench |
I honestly don't know if he saw minutes in the Ginebra series, but l think he's the best talent in the San Mig bench that isn't given enough minutes. I think he's a smart basketball player with better handles than Alex Mallari. Mallari looks to be more athletic than Cawaling, but the latter has a better mid to outside jumper and better ball handling skills. He could be a blindside pick by the Mixers.
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