Realtors to buck trend?

It’s been a pendulum series so far. One for you, one for me. That’s been the state of affairs in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors Cup finals.

Sta. Lucia Realty drew first blood in Game 1. San Miguel Beer returned the favor in Game 2. The Realtors bounced back in Game 3. Then, the Beermen evened up matters in Game 4. Sta. Lucia was back in the driver’s seat after Game 5. So if the trend holds up, San Miguel should win Game 6 at the Big Dome tonight. Coach Norman Black, however, is determined not to allow a Game 7 – trending is a bad word in his vocabulary.

Sta. Lucia’s never been this close to capturing a title since breaking into the league in 1993. The Realtors had never won more than a game in a finals before this season. In fact, this is only their second finals appearance ever. So it’s been a long time coming for team owner Excy Robles and manager Buddy Encarnado. A less committed management would’ve quit the league a long time ago.

San Miguel finds itself in an unfamiliar hole. The Beermen are a loss away from interment. To salvage the crown, they’ve got to beat Sta. Lucia twice in a row – something San Miguel hasn’t been able to do in the series. Coach Joseph Uichico’s consolation is neither has Sta. Lucia been able to beat San Miguel two straight. All Uichico’s praying for is to survive tonight’s test. He’d be crazy to think of a Game 7 at this stage, trend or no trend.

If there’s a lesson to be learned in the finals, it’s that playing one-on-one isn’t the formula for success. That’s because both teams play tough defense. Teamwork is essential to break down the defense. And teamwork is essential in fortifying the defense. In other words, it’s all about execution on both ends–not by one or two players but by all five players on the floor.

The stats prove the point. The team with more assists has won every game in the finals. Making the extra pass, finding the open man, and moving the ball for the high percentage shot are elements that produce an assist – elements that are indicators of teamwork. Take Sta. Lucia’s single coverage defense. If San Miguel insists on posting up against the Realtors’ big frontliners, the Beermen will bleed for points. That’s because Sta. Lucia’s big men are such potent shot blockers. So for San Miguel to shake up Sta. Lucia’s stifling interior defense, there’s got to be movement in its offense.

No doubt, Damian Owens and Lamont Strothers are vital cogs. They’re meant to neutralize each other so the locals can make the difference. But if one is off and the other isn’t, that could prove crucial. For instance, in Game 4, Strothers outscored Owens, 38-20, as San Miguel won. In Game 5, Owens outscored Strothers, 37-15, as Sta. Lucia won. Get the picture?

But with all the talk about imports and defense, the guards are clearly making an impact in the finals. They hold the key to dictate tempo. If they’re shackled, execution is compromised. If they’re on the ball, execution is smooth. That’s how important their role is.

Consider Olsen Racela. He’s been invisible in San Miguel’s three losses so far – that’s because Black makes it a priority to take him out of his rhythm. Racela is that special. He’s shot in double figures only once in the series – 15 points in Game 2 which San Miguel, not coincidentally, won. On the other hand, it was Paolo Mendoza who propelled Sta. Lucia in Game 5 – he fired 17 to fuel the Realtors’ 85-71 breakaway.

For San Miguel, its battlecry for Game 6 is Isa Pa Nga. Uichico’s priorities are:

• Pump life back into Strothers. The former Portland Trailblazer went to sleep in Game 5 last Friday. He was scoreless in the third period and shot only three points the entire second half to finish with a conference-low 15 points. Strothers hit 18 points in the second quarter alone in Game 4. If he doesn’t wake up in Game 6, San Miguel is doomed.

• Decoy at the post. Forget forcing isolations at the low block against Sta. Lucia. The Realtors aren’t budging. Danny Seigle is San Miguel’s only low post threat who draws the double but when he digs in, the defense swarms to limit his options. Uichico’s got to think of another way to attack Sta. Lucia’s defense. The high pick-and-roll might work particularly if it involves a cutter from the weak side.

• Backcourt defense. San Miguel is sometimes so focused on clamping down on Sta. Lucia’s frontliners that the Beermen ignore the Realtors’ guards. Felix Belano, Gerard Francisco, and Mendoza can’t be left alone to throw up triples.

• Cruise control. The slow-down tempo applies on both ends. On defense, San Miguel must work extra hard to stop Sta. Lucia’s fastbreak – that means sprinting back quick to set up. The Realtors like to run – they’ve got an added weapon in the rejuvenated Noynoy Falcasantos to deepen their rotation – so an energetic bench helps.

For Sta. Lucia, its battlecry for Game 6 is Tapusin Na. Black’s priorities are:

• Run San Miguel to the ground. Transition is Sta. Lucia’s most frightening attack. When the Realtors gun their engines, they strike fear in their opponents’ hearts. Sta. Lucia can break a game open behind a scorching fastbreak.

• Interior defense. Sta. Lucia can’t afford to soften its post defense. Black relies on single coverage to shadow Strothers and Danny Ildefonso on the low block. That’s because Owens and Marlou Aquino enjoy a height advantage in their matchups. The critical factor in a single coverage isn’t just to stop the offensive player at the post but also to check the passing lanes which are covered because there is no double.

• Owens aggressive. The conference’s Best Import is at his best when he’s active on defense – deflecting passes, breaking up plays, diving for steals. If he’s aggressive on defense, Owens’ offense just flows. In the open court, Owens is difficult to stop because he’s so athletic.

• Passing game. San Miguel likes to double and Sta. Lucia should take the cue. Rotating to the open man takes a heavy toll on a defensive team in a long series. The exhaustion factor kicks in. When San Miguel doubles, the Realtors shouldn’t panic – they should just move the ball around patiently until the open man gets a good look.

Before the finals, Black said he wouldn’t talk to his boys about the championship until after they will have won three games. Sta. Lucia is now on the brink of making history. The Realtors are just a win shy of bagging their first-ever title. But San Miguel isn’t finished yet. The Beermen are determined to spoil the party tonight but will Sta. Lucia oblige?