RoS, Ginebra Open Intriguing Quarterfinal Match-Up

RoS, Ginebra Open Intriguing Quarterfinal Match-Up
BY Robi Raya



GAME 1 QUARTERFINALS SERIES
(3) RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS VS. (6) BARANGAY GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL

WHAT THIS GAME MEANS
Winning Game 1 would be like putting the victor on an MMA full mount position against the loser.


Despite losing both of its elimination round match-ups against BGSM, I think Yeng Guiao and his crew are still very confident that they will beat Ginebra. Although they will most probably be without the services of Jireh Ibanes, Paul Lee and Chris Tiu’s exploits on the offensive side of the ball give the Painters the difference between playoffs and elims. With a more potent line-up, ROS will aim to prove that head-to-head, they’re still the better team.

BGSM on the other hand will again go for every offensive rebound in Game 1 and prove that that strength of theirs will continue to give Master Yeng headaches and tantrums.


WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

The pace of the game: both teams use run-and-gun, get-a-quick-but-good-shot-off-of-the-break styles. In Game 1, it would be especially intriguing to see if BGSM will try to run on all opportunities; and I think they should. Why? They only averaged 89 ppg
in the elimination round. In their two wins against ROS? They scored 98 ppg. Although both of those W’s were effected by their Nation of Domination on the glass, it would be better for Ginebra to push the tempo and prevent the Painters defense from setting up.

Rain Or Shine on the other hand has proven that they can win high-scoring or walk-the-ball-past-the-halfcourt type of games. That’s why I think they should run the ball selectively. They should maintain a healthy balance of seizing quick strikes and forcing BGSM to set up its halfcourt offense (something where the Barangay occasionally struggles).



WHO TO WATCH OUT FOR

Mark Caguioa has been slowed down by a bum ankle for the past few games. Will that continue to haunt him in the quarters?

The superstar stoppers: it would be very interesting to see which of the defensive aces of both teams will be assigned to slowing down Mark Caguioa and Jeff Chan in Game 1. Will the coaches designate a slew of bodies to defend the superstars? Or will they go to the usual suspects?

For BGSM, I think that Chris Ellis is the best man for the unenviable task of chasing Jeff Chan around the court while trying to run thru boulder-sized screens from the Extra Rice bros. Air Force’s length and quickness will give Chan a harder time than he normally has with other defenders. The key for Ellis though is to learn how to be patient and disciplined to stay home on the ROS sniper’s pump fakes.

Since news is that Jireh Ibanes — IMO the best perimeter stopper in the L — won’t return until after the quarterfinals, the logical option to deal with MC47 is Gabe Norwood. And this is where we can see Paul Lee’s value: Norwood can now focus on bending his butt on D while passing most of the playmaking duties to the Angas ng Tondo.

Photos c/o PBA Tambayan’s Facebook page and Interaksyon.com/Interaktv

Source: Slamonlineph.com