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With Chris Newsome and Meralco incumbents able to keep up with Scottie Thompson and Barangay Geneva, coach Norman Black turns to his bench for more help. COURTESY OF PBA IMAGES
Of all the times Meralco has faced Barangay Ginebra, there are two games that Norman Black remembers clearly.
In both, the Bolts had a healthy Raymond Almazan to place as a kind of railing in front of the basket.
“Remember, we were 1-1 when we got hurt in that championship series. [in last year’s Governors’ Cup], ”Black said. “So we were very competitive with Geneva until it fell.” And Almazan as a protective barrier is doubly important for the only player for whom Black did not have a confrontation before.
“Raymond gives us the best possible match we can have against Japeth [Aguilar], because it is a real problem for all teams. It’s so big, so long, so talented and so productive, ”Black said.
“At least we would have someone to pause [against]”He added. “If you put a 6-foot-4 boy against [Japeth], it won’t stop at all. It just goes straight ahead. What if, [Raymond] it helps us in that sense. “
Defense will play an important role when the PBA Philippine Cup begins its semifinal clashes on Wednesday at the Angeles University Foundation powered by Smart 5G.
Meralco expects Almazán to be the lynchpin of a defensive scheme that could slow down the Kings, who have enviable scoring depth. With Stanley Pringle practically unstoppable from the backcourt, Black hopes they can at least concentrate the defense on the dynamic base without having to worry too much about Aguilar.
And Almazan understands the importance of his role.
“[Defending the post] it would be my job in these semifinals, ”Almazan told reporters here in the Philippines. “We all know how Meralco had been fighting defending the position all those years. I will do whatever I can to help. ”“ It will really help us a lot to have him against Geneva, ”Black said of Almazan.
Defense will also be the center of attention in the other semi-final pair, regardless of whether they feature two happy trigger squads.
No. 2 Phoenix and No. 3 TNT open the doubleheader at 3:45 pm seeking to silence each other’s weapons.
“I just hope to be consistent. Our offense can stand on its own, ”TNT coach Bong Ravena told the Inquirer. “It’s simple. If we make stops, we get to execute. So we are more concerned with how we make stops.”
Both teams will certainly have no trouble scoring points.
Matthew Wright leads a Phoenix team, averaging about 23 points per game (No. 2 in the league) on 45 percent shooting. The Fuel Masters averaged 13.5 3-point shots, No. 1 in the league, driving in a 100.6-point average per game (No. 2 in the league). TNT, which has six to seven players capable of scoring in double figures each night, makes 11.6 triples per game (No. 2 in the league) in an offense that produces 98.6 points per night (third in the league). others will be a priority.
“We definitely have to defend and try to maintain discipline with our system,” said Ray Parks Jr., Tropang Giga two-way guard. “They are going to come out strong.”
In particular, the Tropang Giga is wary of the only player who was not present during the Fuel Masters’ 110-91 loss in their knockout round encounter: forward Calvin Abueva.
“We all know how much he contributes,” TNT shooter RR Pogoy told Sports Page on Monday. “Calvin makes a big difference.”
In six games since returning from a 16-month suspension, Abueva is averaging 13.7 points, 10.7 rebounds (second in the league), 6.7 assists (league leading) and 1.3 steals, showing that he is a force on both ends. from the field.
Cal vin Abueva of Phoenix will be the focal point of TNT’s defense.
Phoenix coach Topex Robinson is expected to unleash Wright and Abueva, but he also has no claims that having both at full capacity will make the Fuel Masters the favorites in this matchup.
“At this point, we just want to enjoy this experience. We have nothing to lose. TNT is the best team that is entering this bubble, without exception, ”said Robinson, even though his team has a higher seed than their enemy. “They have a solid lineup, a great coaching staff.” “For us, we are ready to give surprises. We are the underdogs here, ”he said. “[And] The longer the series is for us, the better we will be exposed to difficult times, and that will only make us stronger. ” Black also believes that the Kings will be the favorites in their half of the Final Four draw, an understandable conclusion given that the Bolts are the only team outside of the Top 4 to reach the semifinals.
Meralco, he said, will be on an equal footing with Geneva only as long as the starters of both teams are on the pitch.
“I think we can match his first five,” Black said of the crowd darlings. “I think they are a little deeper when they come off the bench, and that’s something we have to have. [more] contributions of “.
“My bank is going to be tested,” he added. “The bank really has to deal with Geneva, particularly Allein Maliksi. It has to appear. Because his scoring from the bench must be key for us ”. INQ
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