[ad_1]
And now we are two. After 65 knockout matches, five in the quarterfinals and 10 in the semifinals, only TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings remain in the PBA bubble. The two teams begin their best-of-seven series for the 2020 Philippine Cup crown on Sunday (6:00 pm live on TV5, One Sports and PBA Rush) and, as always, we asked five of our experts from the PBA on ESPN5.com what they think of this intriguing showdown.
1. Real or not: The two best teams in the bubble are in the final.
Chuck Araneta: Real. People will say Phoenix has a case, because they were up 2-1 against TNT even though Matthew Wright played with an ankle injury. But when they needed it, Tropang Giga put together a brilliant defensive display in the decisive Game 5, proving they deserve to be here.
Charlie Cradle: Real. They have the most powerful lineups and at different times in the conference they played the best basketball.
Carlo Pamintuan: Real. Many people said at the beginning of the conference that it will be Geneva vs TNT and that’s where we land.
Sulit history: Real. There were many great stories and surprising plot twists in the PBA bubble, but from the start TNT and Geneva established that they will both be a force in the tournament.
Noel Zarate: Real. Despite the incredible races from Phoenix and Meralco, these were the two teams that appeared to be on a collision course when the Bubble started.
2. Name and rank the five best players in the final.
Throw: 1. Parks 2. Pringle 3. Thompson 4. Castro 5. Aguilar
Charlie: 1. Pringle 2. Parks 3. Castro 4. Thompson 5. Aguilar
Carlo: 1. Parks 2. Pringle 3. Castro 4. Thompson 5. Aguilar
History: 1. Pringle 2. Castro 3. Parks 4. Thompson 5. Pogoy
Christmas: 1. Parks 2. Pringle 3. Pogoy 4. Castro 5. Thompson.
3. TNT can win it all because …
Chuck: Parks’ pure offensive brilliance, which could be a nightmare for Guinevere. Flanked by Castro, Pogoy and Rosario (whom they desperately need to get out of their slump), Tropang Giga could have the firepower to withstand Guinevere’s disciplined defense.
Also, TNT switched to Poy Erram at this exact moment. It’s time to see if the investment pays off.
Charlie: It’s a championship-hungry team, with so much talent and potentially unmatched firepower.
Carlo: they have the firepower to cause great trouble for Geneva’s defense. Anyone can explode in any given game, Parks being the only constant in his offense.
History: They are deeper than Geneva. On paper, TNT’s star quality surpasses that of Geneva. However, they will have to be more consistent than in the semi-finals.
Christmas: They have incredible firepower and have passed their greatest test in the semi-finals. Now they know how to use their weapons.
2:44
TNT goes to the PBA Philippine Cup final for the first time in seven years after defeating Phoenix Super LPG, 91-81, in Game 5.
4. Geneva-Meralco can win everything because …
Throw: They are disciplined, methodical, battle tested, and eager to prove they can win it all even without Justin Brownlee. Plus, Stanley Pringle remains the most defenseless player in the league. And apparently Thompson is now a takedown shooter in the clutch!
Charlie: he’s playing the best team basketball at this stage in the conference and has players whose intensity and drive (Thompson and Mariano, for example) are hard to match.
Carlo: They have coach Tim Cone. He’s a master of adjustments and it’s hard to beat him in a seven-game series.
History: Aside from the obvious skill and talent of the players, they are led by none other than the winningest coach in PBA history.
Christmas: His core is healthy and despite not having the usual support from the crowd, his championship form is starting to stand out.
5. Your prediction?
Throw: I don’t think I’ve ever correctly predicted a series involving Geneva in these 5v5s. So for those who are preparing to take a screenshot of my answer, here you go. No problem!
TNT in 7.
Charlie: Geneva in 6 or 7 close and highly contested matches. (So close that the same could well happen with TNT).
Carlo: My prediction is that our stay in the bubble will peak. I have agreed that I will celebrate my birthday here for Game 7.
History: Wow, I really don’t know. Hmmm. My wild guess would be TNT at 7.
Christmas: Geneva at 7.
