Coaches pick SMB over TNT

Game Saturday (Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center)
5:30 p.m. — Talk ’N Text vs San Miguel (Finals Game 1)

MANILA, Philippines — After the long wait, Talk ’N Text and San Miguel will finally clash in a title series which many expected to be a classic one.

Boasting of several marquee players, San Miguel and TNT advanced to the Finals of the PBA Philippine Cup by besting their respective semis foes by same winning line – 4-2.

Talk ’N Text secured the first Finals berth by dethroning B-Meg Derby Ace, 89-72, last Friday for its 11th championship appearance. Two days later, San Miguel followed suit by beating Barangay Ginebra also in Game 6, 89-86, Sunday night.

Game 1 of the scheduled best-of-seven title series is Saturday at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center in Negros Occidental.

While San Miguel appears to have a decisive height advantage, several coaches are convinced the series is evenly matched.



“It’s a close fight,” newly-appointed Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said. “But I think San Miguel has a deep rotation, but because of the two-day rest Talk ’N Text had, it will affect the series if it’s going to be a long one.”

Ginebra mentor Jong Uichico shares the same view as far as SMB’s deep bench, and he saw it first hand in the Kings’ series with the Beermen.

He said San Miguel can utilize all its 14 players – each one capable of dishing out quality minutes.

“It should be evenly matched in terms of size, athleticism and speed. But SMB will have the big edge because of its bench,” Uichico said.

For B-Meg Derby Ace rookie coach Jorge Gallent, while he agrees with the athleticism and the equal in talent of both teams, he said it’s the experience of SMB that will spell the difference.

“Both teams have very athletic and talented players. They also have deep benches. So I think it’s going to be a long series. But I think SMB will prevail due to the experience they have in the championship,” he said.

Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi, on the other hand, said that while San Miguel holds the record of 18 PBA titles, he said the coaching experience of TNT’s Chot Reyes will be a plus factor in the series.

While Reyes is seeking his sixth title, San Miguel’s Ato Agustin is a first-timer as head coach.

“I think, coaching experience TNT has the edge, but SMB has a balanced-offense,” he said.

But for Powerade coach Bo Perasol, the team that has poise in the endgame will have the edge in winning the title.

“I doubt if there is any edge one team has over the other. Both have strong starters and deep benches. Although SMB has a longer winning tradition, TNT is not lacking in that aspect as well,” he said. “But the team that will maintain composure in the end game will win the series.”

This is just the second time that SMB and TNT will be facing each other in the championship.

The first was during the 2005 Fiesta Cup which the Beermen won in five games.

Meantime, the PBA is looking at the possibility of producing its own games if there’s no formal offer from TV networks and other outfits.

"In the absence of a formal offer (from networks and other TV outfits), we’ll take a look on the possibility of the PBA producing its own games. We'll make a presentation to the board (Jan. 25 meeting),” said Commissioner Chito Salud.
source: mb.com.ph/