No guarantees for starters

The usual practice of starting a team’s five best players is slowly becoming a thing of the past in the modern age of basketball. Unpredictability is now the mode with coaches concocting different combinations to get the jump on the opposition under the presumption of gaining an advantage in matchups. Shuffling starters is also part of strategy to create an edge in second unit matchups, reward players with recognition as a first fiver, spread out minutes for fresh legs and set the tone in terms of style and tempo.

Take, for instance, the recent PBA Philippine Cup Finals. San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria rotated seven starters throughout the seven-game series which the Beermen eventually won. JuneMar Fajardo, Arwind Santos and Chris Lutz were the only players who started from Game 1 to Game 7 with Alex Cabagnot (four starts), Marcio Lassiter (four starts), Chris Ross (three starts) and Ronald Pascual (three starts) taking turns in the first five.

Alaska, the other finalist, did the same thing, rotating nine players as starters with only Sonny Thoss, Jvee Casio and Cyrus Baguio opening from Game 1 to Game 7. The others who had starting roles were Tony de la Cruz (five starts), Calvin Abueva (two starts), Vic Manuel (two starts), Chris Banchero (two starts), Eric Menk (two starts) and Chris Exciminiano (one start).

In the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup, no team has used the same starting lineup from Day 1. Rain Or Shine coach Yeng Guiao’s tradition of shuffling his first five from game to game has caught on. It’s a system that’s also gaining popularity in the NBA.

The invasion of imports has given coaches a little more flexibility in adjusting their starters. Barangay Ginebra is a case in point. Coach Ato Agustin has brought Greg Slaughter off the bench in the first four games with import Michael Dunigan playing center. Japeth Aguilar was a starter in his first two outings then came off the bench for the next two games. The rotation has left Aguilar scrambling to adjust. He has scored only eight points in his first four appearances.

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San Miguel Beer is another example of a team that’s undergoing a major chemistry issue. Coach Leo Austria has even moved Arwind Santos from starter to reliever. Santos started the first game but after going 0-of-10 from beyond the arc in the 88-78 loss to Kia, came off the bench in the Ginebra game, finishing with only six points. In the defeat to Blackwater, Santos again came off the bench and contributed 11. Austria has now used eight players to start in three games.

NLEX is also hampered by an import struggling to fit. NBA veteran Al Thornton, on paper, looked like an ideal complement for Asi Taulava – a power forward alongside a dominant center. But somehow, the combination hasn’t clicked with the Road Warriors losing three in a row. In the Purefoods loss last Wednesday, Thornton became the first import this conference not to start. Coach Boyet Fernandez started an all-Filipino cast of Taulava, Wynne Arboleda, Aldrech Ramos, MacMac Cardona and KG Canaleta. Thornton checked in as a reliever and scored a personal conference low of 11 points. It could be a sign that Thornton is on the way out.

In Kia’s case, coach Manny Pacquiao and assistant Chito Victolero have used 11 players as starters with only import Peter John Ramos the only mainstay in the Carnival’s first five contests. The 10 others who’ve started are L. A. Revilla (one start), Kenneth Ighalo (three starts), Eloy Poligrates (two starts), Rich Alvarez (one start), J. R. Buensuceso (three starts), Kyle Pascual (two starts), Mark Yee (one start), Mike Burtscher (one start), J. R. Cawaling (two starts) and Leo Avenido (one start). Once Reil Cervantes is reactivated from the injury list, he’ll claim a starting spot for sure.

With the PBA pace escalating at a furious rate, coaches like to use their second unit for either instant offense or press defense. This is why there is now little distinction between starters and relievers. It’s not uncommon for relievers to play more minutes than starters. Gunners like Gary David who could start for any team are coming off the bench to provide firepower continuity. David has scored in double figures in every game despite not starting for Meralco.

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 Guiao, as expected, has used a slew of players to start this conference. So far, he’s rotated 11 players in his first five with only J. R. Quiñahan and T. Y. Tang not getting the nod. Aside from import Rick Jackson, the Elasto Painters’ other starters have been Jonathan Uyloan (one start), Paul Lee (two starts), Gabe Norwood (two starts), Jireh Ibañes (two starts), Jeff Chan (two starts), Chris Tiu (one start), Ryan Araña (one start), Jervy Cruz (one start), Beau Belga (one start) and Raymond Almazan (two starts).

Two coaches, however, are keeping a short leash on their starting units. Meralco and Barako Bull have used only six players as starters while the other 10 teams have rotated more. Bolts coach Norman Black has started Josh Davis, Cliff Hodge, John Wilson and Reynel Hugnatan in every game. Mike Cortez started in three games and when he sat out the Alaska contest, Simon Atkins took the job.

Barako coach Koy Banal has started J. C. Intal, Dave Marcelo, Chico Lanete and Solomon Alabi in every game. Sol Mercado was in the first five against Blackwater and Barangay Ginebra. He missed the next two games and R. R. Garcia has taken his place. Black and Banal are the coaches closest to sticking to a regular starting lineup.

With the way the game is now played, the principle is it’s not as important to start as it is to finish.