Philippine Sports News and Updates

MANILA, Philippines - If imports David Noel and Gabe Freeman cancel each other out, it will come down to the locals deciding which team – San Miguel Beer or Barangay Ginebra – captures the PBA Fiesta Conference title.

That’s how Rain Or Shine coach Caloy Garcia analyzed the situation yesterday on the eve of Game 1 of the best-of-7 Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

“Both imports are young, aggressive and talented,” said Garcia. “They can run, too. How the coaches play the imports will be crucial. If coach Jong (Uichico) plays Noel at four, they can quicken the pace with three guards on the floor. If coach Siot (Tanquingcen) plays Freeman at three, he can use Mick Pennisi and Dorian Pena together, control the boards and slow down the game. Or he could use Freeman at four and Jay Washington at three to create mismatches.”

Garcia said it’s possible that Noel and Freeman will end up neutralizing each other’s stats.

“The locals will make the difference,” said Garcia. “I think San Miguel has more depth in every position. In the backcourt, they’ve got Dondon (Hontiveros), Mike (Cortez), Jonas (Villanueva), Olsen (Racela) and Bonbon (Custodio). But Ginebra could even things out with JayJay (Helterbrand), Ronald (Tubid), Cyrus (Baguio), Chico (Lanete) and Paul (Artadi). It’s in the frontcourt where San Miguel has a big edge with Danny (Ildefonso), Jay-Wash, Mick, Dorian and Marc (Pingris) especially if Eric (Menk) doesn’t play for Ginebra.”

Garcia said both teams are potent in offense but Ginebra has the edge in defense.

“If Ginebra plays defense throughout the Finals like they did in Game 6 of our semifinal series, they’ll be tough to beat because you won’t be able to score too often,” he continued. “In Game 6, Ginebra took Jai Lewis out of it from the start, double and triple teaming him and he picked up a lot of early turnovers. Rob (Wainwright) came out flat and didn’t score in 17 minutes. That’s all because of Ginebra’s defense.”

Garcia, however, said if San Miguel’s perimeter shooters are on target, Ginebra’s defense will definitely loosen up.

“For San Miguel to win, they’ve got to hit their outside shots,” he went on. “They’ve got to play aggressive. They showed their mental toughness when they didn’t back down from Burger King’s physical play in the semifinals. That’s the toughness they’ve got to show Ginebra.”

Garcia said for Ginebra to win, the Kings must play up tempo, stay aggressive on defense and take advantage of Noel’s ability to play inside and outside. The big edge is Uichico’s championship experience. Uichico has won eight titles so far, compared to two for Tanquingcen.

As for intangibles, Garcia said the two automatic semifinal qualifiers are highly-motivated and extremely confident to go all the way. “It’s difficult to choose which team is more confident because they’re both very confident at this stage,” said Garcia. “It will be all about stepping up in the end and how the teams cope with health issues.”

Garcia said if Menk is able to suit up, it will be a big boost for Ginebra which has no real interior threat. Menk has sat out Ginebra’s last six games. Uichico went with frontliners Rafi Reavis, Billy Mamaril and J. C. Intal in the semifinals. Doug Kramer and Homer Se were used sparingly.

Garcia singled out Ginebra small forward Sunday Salvacion as a player to watch in the Finals. They were teammates at St. Benilde and Garcia said Salvacion’s clutch-shooting could make a difference in a tight contest. Salvacion’s counterpart is San Miguel defensive specialist Wesley Gonzales. An X-factor for Ginebra is rugged Willie Wilson.

Noel, 25, played for the University of North Carolina varsity that won the NCAA title in 2005. The former Milwaukee Bucks forward brings a lot of experience on the table with stints in the NCAA, NBA, NBA D-League and Spanish league.

Freeman, 23, played for Costa Mesa Community in junior college and never made it to the NCAA. The high-leaping star saw action in Mexico and the Continental league before moving to San Miguel as skills coach Alton Lister’s hand-picked choice. Freeman’s ability to drive strong to the cup is incredible and if Noel is his defender, the Ginebra import will have his hands full trying to prevent penetrations.

• Philstar
• Philippine Sports Central