GAME 1 of the PBA Commissioners Cup Finals was good, but it left something more to be desired. It is a well-hyped series between the flagship teams of the SMC and MVP group of companies. It also carried with it a lot of side stories.
Coach Jimmy Alapag of SMB going against the team he led for a long time, the TNT Tropa. Terrence Romeo and Brian Heruela, changing outfits in the much-publicized trade between these two teams. Terence Jones, going up against Chris McCullough, both first round NBA picks who still got the talent and skills to mount a comeback in the NBA. One team looking to regain lost glory and another trying to add another trophy to their legacy as well as another crack at the coveted PBA Grand Slam.
Lost in all these was the chance for fans to see a match-up, a slugfest between these two teams who are out to succeed the former champion, Barangay Ginebra last Sunday. After the TNT Tropa broke the game wide open in the second period, SMB lost its fight. Much like the Pacquiao gut punch that took the wind out of Thurman in their recent bout, the second quarter blitz took the fight out of the Beermen.
The final score, 109-96. The imports posted regular numbers, 41 points for Jones and 33 for McCullough. Junemar also came up with a considerable contribution of 23 points. What was missing in this game was the usual contributions from the other Beermen. If Ross, Cabagnot, and Santos made their regular contributions, game one would have been more exciting. They were caught flat-footed by their TNT counterparts.
Will adjustments be made, heading to Game 2 today? There will be, for sure and I say, this title will go to the one who is most desperate.
If TNT sustains its play while SMB continues its mediocre showing, TNT can bring home the title. Incidentally, the Beermen have proven their resilience time and again. Who could forget their 2015-2016 conquest of Alaska after falling behind 0-3 to win the Philippine Cup title in seven games that season? I am also hoping that they slowly live up to the hype of their encounter.
Notes from the sidelines:
Kadayawan basketball is here again. Catch UAAP teams, DLSU and NU go against Cesafi standouts UV and SWU at the Almendras Gym starting on August 11.