2013 PBA Governor’s Cup Quarterfinals Preview
Playoffs season is once again upon us! With all 8 teams seated in their proper places, we’re good to go for the quarterfinals. What you need to take note: top 4 teams get twice-to-beat advantages. Ready?
Here’s our how we see this whole turmoil going down.
(1) Petron Blaze vs (8) Brgy. Ginebra
The love-hate relationship between these two franchises continues. There’s too much history between the two. Look at their benches for example. On Petron’s, you see Siot Tanquingcen – former champion head coach of Ginebra. On Ginebra’s bench? Ato Agustin, former champion head coach of Petron. Come to think of it. For sister teams, these two never really liked each other.
The road to the playoffs have been very different for these squads. The Boosters cruised through the eliminations while the Barangay threaded the needle to get here. Clash of opposite ends. But I’m sure you know what the Ginebra die-hards are yelling. Never. Say. Die.
Prediction: Petron Blaze
I know, I know. I just mentioned ‘Never Say Die’. But c’mon, did you guys see how Petron played throughout the conference? How they manhandled pretty much every team? Add in the current fatigue level of Ginebra and boom! The ounce of chance they had just zapped.
(2) San Mig Coffee vs (7) Alaska
Ahh! This match-up. Easily the cash cow of the quarters. It feel like everytime these teams meet, the plot thickens and things get more interesting. It’s like sinigang. It’s always better the second time around.
There’s a lot to watch out for in this series. But the highlight remains to be the Yap-Abueva nuptial, este, match-up. Remember what happened last conference? Yup, expect all that and more. The twist is that Calvin is going after that MVP trophy. And he’s been warned that he has to behave. So… We’ll all see if this changes a thing.
Prediction: San Mig Coffee
Two words why I chose the Mixers: Marqus Blakely. He’s that good. When you’re Alaska, who do you put on him? Abueva for physicality? You give up height. Espinas? You give up speed. McKines? Are you really gonna run him out like that? Coach Luigi must be going nuts from weighing his options.
(3) Meralco vs (6) Barako Bull
It’s been a helluva conference for these two squads. Meralco has quietly held their ground the entire time, being in the top 4 throughout the tourney. As for Barako Bull, before they entered their current slump, they had that amazing run. Not only were they winning. They were also highly entertaining – credit Emman Monfort for that.
Luckily for these two teams, experience will not be a huge factor in this series, as both of them don’t really have much of that. The key to winning this series is local support. Mario West and Mike Singletary are great ballers. No doubt. But in advancing to the next round, it can’t just be all about them.
Prediction: Barako Bull
This was tough to call. Initially, I had Meralco getting it in two games. But I have this feeling that Barako is about to break out of their slump and get the job done. Again, locals need to step up. But we all know the imports are on the spotlight. Something tells me that in the dying seconds, when Barako gives the ball to Mike Singletary, he won’t dribble it off his foot. Instead, he’ll deliver the dagger.
(4) Rain Or Shine vs (5) GlobalPort
Welcome to the playoffs, GlobalPort. After winning a total of 3 games in their first two conferences, they finally break into the post-season. Unfortunately for the Batang Pier, the Elastopainters are planning to rain, not shine, on their parade.
While some people believe RoS will blow past GlobalPort easily, I think this series is going to be more interesting than that. The secret to the success of the Batang Pier this conference is they’ve finally convinced themselves that they can stand toe-to-toe with the other teams. They have grown out of thinking that they’re in the rebuilding stage that they never were in, in the first place. And now, there’s no better way of making a statement than by beating a staple playoff team like Rain or Shine.
Prediction: Rain Or Shine
Truth is, I’d love to see GlobalPort advance further. For Sol and Gary, at the very least. Or even just to see more of Junel Baculi coaching in sunnies. But let’s face it. The odds are highly against that. Rain or Shine is a brick wall that’s tough to crack, especially in the post-season.
This is not to say Globalport doesn’t stand a chance though. It’s just going to be a highly difficult grind.
Photos by Paolo Papa and Paul Ryan Tan of InterAKTV
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