Cone pointed to the abstract variable of energy as the critical factor that will propel Alaska or Purefoods to the championship. In sum, it’s all about mental toughness–the ability to play through the fatigue and squeeze the last ounce of energy to live the winning moment.
Tender Juicy Hot Dogs coach Ryan Gregorio couldn’t agree more. With the best-of-7 Finals stretched to the limit, the war of attrition has turned out to be a heart-stopping version of a survivor series.
No doubt, the coaches will be put to a severe test. How well do they know their players? Pushing the right buttons is key–timing is crucial. When to bring in the subs, when to rest the starters, what matchups to take advantage of. It’s important that in the last quarter, the go-to guys are well-rested and not in foul trouble. That means pacing is vital, particularly as Game 7 is expected to be physical, hotly-contested, and close.
History is on Alaska’s side. The Aces figured in four of the previous nine Game 7s in the Finals and won the last three. Purefoods, on the other hand, has never won a Game 7 in the Finals, losing four–the last two via identical 19-point blowouts.
So Cone is used to the pressure. But are the Aces? The only Alaska players to see action in a Game 7 in the Finals are Jojo Lastimosa, Alvin Teng, Eric Reyes, Richie Ticzon, and Rodney Santos. But only Lastimosa and Santos are in Cone’s regular rotation.
Gregorio is the first rookie coach to call the shots in a Game 7 in the Finals. Being in the Finals is a brand-new experience for the 30-year-old former University of the Philippines guard. To have gone this far is already a feather in his cap. Gregorio, however, isn’t content with that. He’s got a chance to go all the way and become the third Purefoods coach to win a title in his first conference after Chot Reyes in 1993 and Eric Altamirano in 1997. Gregorio is definitely going for it.
So far, the series has seen a lot of adjustments and readjustments. In Game 6, for instance, Cone pulled a rabbit out of his hat–or an ace up his sleeve–when he started Santos for the first time in the Finals and put him on Derrick Brown. The trick worked. Santos kept Brown relatively in check and knocked in 14 points to boot. In the first five games of the Finals, Santos had scored a total of only 13. So the breakout was major.
Who can forget Gregorio’s ploy of resting Ronnie Magsanoc in Game 3 (after the veteran point guard logged 47 of 50 minutes in Game 2) and leaning on Roger Yap to limit Ron Riley to only 12 points? What about Magsanoc and Patrimonio coming off the bench to combine for 21 points in Game 5?
Clearly, Purefoods will focus on control of the boards in Game 7. The Hot Dogs outrebounded the Aces by 12 in Game 3, by 17 in Game 4, and by six in Game 5. Guess what? Purefoods won those three games. In Game 6, Alaska won the battle of the boards, 42-36, and the Hot Dogs lost.
It stands to reason why the Hot Dogs must control the glass to win. They like to run and score on put-backs. Rebounds fuel transition. Second-chance points come from offensive rebounds. Besides, Kelvin Price is deadliest when he powers under the boards.
For Alaska to win, the Aces must play heads-up. It’s not enough for Riley to get on track. James Head must be in sync, too. Head has scored at least 20 points in five of the six Finals games so far. When he was held to 11 in Game 5, Alaska lost. In Game 6, Head was a picture of composure, hitting 9-of-12 from the floor, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing out five assists. But it’s in defense where Alaska must make a statement. The Aces must play it cool, force Purefoods to a halfcourt duel, exploit the mismatch in the backcourt and keep the points low. In a drag-out game, Alaska’s outside shooting must be on target, too.
For Purefoods to win, the Hot Dogs must play with aggressiveness. Their intensity must be evident in battling for rebounds. Gregorio’s relievers must deliver quality minutes. Price must stay out of early foul trouble to be able to do his thing inside the paint and the shock troopers must be ready to score if Alaska’s defense loads up on Brown.
In Purefoods’ three wins in the Finals, the Hot Dogs scored at least 80 points each time–an indication that Alaska’s defense faltered. If Purefoods nets 80 or more tonight, it may be enough for the Hot Dogs to win.
Forget the odds. Tonight’s encounter is winner-take-all, do-or-die. No favorite, no underdog. Which team will crumble under pressure? Which team won’t? Which team is healthier? Which team is hungrier? It’s the ultimate test of poise.