BGSM vs ALASKA

by basketballinsiderph

After 16 years, they meet again.

ALAK o GIN?

This is a late post, but then I will give my insights about the Commissioner’s Cup Finals between the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel against the Alaska Aces. Game 1 was done, and Alaska drew the first blood, as the Aces were scorching hot in the first quarter of Game 1. But in this blog, I will disregard the result of Game 1 and still give my insight and prediction about this series.

 

ALASKA ACES

STRENGTHS

1. PG STABILITY – They have a very good depth at the point guard position with JV Casio and RJ Jazul. This is Casio’s 2nd Finals appearance and Jazul’s first. They really set plays well and shoot the lights out from the outside. With Jazul’s confidence at an all-time high and JV’s consistent play, they can outplay LA and Helterbrand in at least 2-3 games.

 

2. DOZIER – He’s been the most consistent import in this conference, racking up 20+ rebounds in many games this conference. No one can stop this guy who played alongside D-Rose in Memphis. If he can control the rebounds more and provide the scoring that Alaska needs, they’re most likely to win the championship.

 

3. THE BEAST – Hate this guy, but you’ll surely love to have him on your team. He just comes off the bench and instantly makes an impact on the court. You may say he’s “mayabang“ and all that, but he’s the energizer for the Alaska Aces. The leading BPC candidate will surely give a headache to the BGSM with his hustle plays, big rebounds and drives to the hoop – let’s also include the flopping.

 

WEAKNESS

1. CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE – Let’s say that only a handful of players on this haven’t played in a championship game, but it doesn’t matter. Even though the veteran players like Sonny Thoss, Cyrus Baguio, Dondon Hontiveros, Tony Dela Cruz and Nic Belasco played in many championship games, we can’t deny the fact that it’s been years since they last played in the Finals. There can be a game wherein it will go down the wire, and their inability to close out games will surely give them a loss in this series.

 

BGSM

STRENGTH

1. DEEP BENCH – Anyone can provide scoring from the bench of Ginebra. From Helterbrand to Labagala, they can all give the scoring that Ginebra needs when the starting 5 isn’t clicking. They can also provide defense with the likes of Rudy Hatfield, Billy Mamaril, Willy Wilson and Yousef Taha. The bench of Ginebra will give Alaska a hard time adjusting to what the Ginebra can give to them.

 

2. L.A.’s EMERGENCE – Without Caguioa, it is the GINeral that has became BGSM’s go-to-guy. This little man can do it all for Ginebra. With the Spark’s limited playing time, Tenorio will have to really step up for them and provide scoring, defense, and be the floor general that he was before he was traded to Ginebra. Casio and Jazul will have to work double time against the Tenyente.

 

3. THE BARANGAY GINEBRA CROWD – The best crowd in the PBA. Expect to hear loud boos when Abueva has the ball or when Abueva starts to brag. The crowd brings energy to the players and they are hyped up once the crowd starts to rock the venue.

 

WEAKNESS

1. VERNON MACKLIN – He can easily be checked in this series. All he does is go to his right and do a hook shot. Once he is double teamed and his strong side is denied, he will have a hard time in providing scoring for the Kings. And also, this is his first Finals appearance in his entire career so I expect that he’ll be nervous at times.

 

PREDICTION: 

ALASKA in 4. Well rested, good rotation, well orchestrated offense. Ginebra will have a hard time in defense because everyone on the court for Alaska can shoot from anywhere, even though they double team Dozier.