No More Four-ward?

SCC-R wrote the latest chapter of their Cinderella story as they defeated the heavily-favored SBC Red Lions 72-68 (double overtime) in Game 1 of the NCAA finals. It was a very exhausting game and even the fans were getting tired of cheering. (Just ask commentator Alan Gregorio about the length of the game. I think he failed to go to the bathroom in halftime. Haha.) The Stags held a 8 point lead in the latter stages of the 4th and it looked like they were on there way to a Game 1 victory. But a strong surge by the Lions in the 4th allowed them to force the 1st overtime. The Lions' rally was anchored by rookie Rome Dela Rosa who knocked down two crucial FTs and hit a long 2 which tied the game. In the 1st overtime, it was Borgie Hermida who tied the game with a strong drive to the paint. In the second overtime, the Stags were able to establish a 5 point lead courtesy of a 3 point play by Abueva and 2 FTs by Jimbo. Beda wasn't ready to give up yet as they were able to diminish the lead once again behind 4 clutch FTs by Superman, Sudan Daniels. Both teams failed to score a FG after that point and it was Calvin Abueva's 2 FTs that ultimately sealed the deal for the Stags.

The Lions had a hard time scoring in the half court. It was only when they were able to run that they were establish some sort of offensive rhythm. Guys like Dela Rosa, Gamalinda, Tecson and Lanete were not able to knock down their outside shots and it paved the way for the Stags to clamp down in the middle. It was only in the 1st overtime that Bambam was able to hit from the outside as he knocked down 2 3-pointers. Rome missed a lot of open perimeter jump shots which allowed the Stags to gank up on Sudan. (Rome did make a big perimeter jump shot to force overtime.) Kudos to the Stags for not bowing down after letting San Beda come back numerous times in the game. Their body language did not look good at the end of regulation but they were still able to manage to win the game. One thing that worries me is that the Stags struggled to make any FGs in the last 12 minutes of the game (last 2 minutes of regulation, 10 minutes in the 2 overtimes). I can only recall 1 FG made by the Stags in that time span and that's the 3 point play by Abueva over Marcelo and Gamalinda in the 2nd overtime. Most of the points of the Stags late in the game come from FTs from Ian Sangalang and Jimbo. On the other hand, SBC was able to get FGs from Bambam Gamalinda and Borgie Hermida late in the game. Fouls were also a big concern for Coach Frankie Lim as Dela Rosa, Bambam and Jake Pascual all fouled in the game. The depth that has made SBC a title contender for years was non-existent in the 2nd overtime. Lim was forced to use guys like Tirona and Tecson late in the game as his main guys were fouled out already. Borgie's injury did not help as well. Borgie injured his ankle as he stepped on Maconocido's foot. (Judging from the replay, I think there was intent from him to injure Borgie but he wasn't called for a foul for his action.) Borgie did come back in the game and helped keep San Beda with his intensity. However, he was taken out of the game in favor of a cold-from-the-bench Chico Tirona when SBC was still very much in the game and with only less than a minute remaining. Playing Tirona in the dying seconds of the game did not make sense so Borgie might have been experiencing a great deal of pain at that point.

Jimbo scored 24 points in the game but he was unable to manufacture FGs for his team late in the game. He did most of his damage early in the regulation. He did fish a lot of fouls in the 2 sessions of overtime while he was setting up in the post. The main man for the Stags was Calvin Abueva who finished with 11 points, 23 rebounds and 5 blocks. This guy was able to create opportunities for his teammates when he was able to dive down open lanes. Other than Jimbo, he might be the Stags' best isolation player because his speed, strength and leaping ability. Pamboy Raymundo (who for some reason is called by the Arena Barker in a special manner) did a great job setting up his teammates but he was clearly fatigued as an injured Borgie Hermida was able to blow by him multiple times late in the game. Young Stags PG Gatchalian was like a lost kid when he entered the game. Fortunately for Coach Ato Agustin, he did not commit any crucial TOs.

Sudan Daniels had a hard time getting the ball down low and he still struggled to score when he did get the ball against Gilbert Bulawan and Ian Sangalang. I think coach Frankie has to go away a little from Sudan and set up his perimeter gunners. Sudan isn't a reliable low-post option yet. Making Sudan roam inside and let him wait crash the offensive boards and wait for drop passes might yield better results in the half court for the Lions. They just waste to much time setting up Sudan and it's not like Sudan gives Beda sure 2 points when he's posts up.

Don't count out the Bedans yet. They've beaten the Stags two in a row in the past and I think they can do it again. The Lions just to need to play defense. Their defense fuels their running game and their running game is key to their offense. With offense and defense clicking, the Lions will have a huge chance to win the series. Outside shooting will also be as important for them. Lanete and the other guys have to wake up. For the Stags, they just need to execute their plays, be patient and run back to play D.