LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot against Manu Ginobili #20, Kawhi Leonard #2 and Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs during Game Six of the 2013 NBA Finals at AmericanAirlines Arena on June 18, 2013 in Miami, Florida. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines — It’s going to be adjustment and veteran smarts versus momentum when the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat clash for the last time in this year’s NBA finals, and the local coaches weighed in on the match up on Thursday.
Select mentors from the collegiate level and the pro teams think it would all boil down to the edge of Spurs’ veterans “Big 3” or how the Heat plan on feeding off their huge game six win on Friday.
Most of them, though, are picking the side of head coach Gregg Popovich and San Antonio to win it all.
“I’ll go for Spurs, no offense to Coach Eric [Spoelstra]. Because of their deep bench of veterans,” said University of the East head coach Boyzie Zamar in a text to INQUIRER.net.
San Antonio has Tim Duncan — who could be the best power forward of his generation — guards Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, who have been in this taut situation before.
“It’s a tough call but I would go with the Spurs. They’re the more experienced team. They would surely come back strong after the tough loss in game six,” shared National University coach Eric Altamirano.
For Ateneo’s Bo Perasol, meanwhile, the fact that the Spurs have managed to expose the Heat’s weaknesses all series long would work to their favor.
“It has to be the San Antonio Spurs. I believe that by extending the series to the fullest, the Spurs had casted doubts on the Heat’s invincibility. The Spurs know how to beat the Heat and they have the personnel to do so,” said Perasol.
Far Eastern University’s Nash Racela also thinks the Spurs will lean on the “experience and poise” especially under a seasoned coach like Popovich, widely known as “Pop.”
“I’m thinking Pop will utilize his perimeter for most parts then end up posting up TD at end,” Racela said.
Former Letran mentor and now Alaska assistant coach Louie Alas has the same sentiment as Racela.
But while it is a popular belief that since Miami won in game six, the momentum is on their side especially that the game is in the Heat’s home court, Alas believes otherwise.
“In a series I don’t believe in momentum, it’s all about adjustment and Coach Pop is a master of adjustment,” Alas said. “San Antonio is very methodical defensively and very precise offensively.”
But there are other coaches who are convinced the LeBron James’ Heat have what it takes to pull off a second straight championship.
“I’m a fan of Miami and San Antonio but I’m picking Heat to win tomorrow due to the momentum they’ve got from game six and besides they could take the advantage of home court,” said San Miguel and Adamson head coach Leo Austria.
Austria believes Miami won’t waste their second, and final chance, having dodged elimination last Wednesday.
“Miami was given a second life and they will not put it into waste and they know it will be a history in the making,” he added.
NCAA coaches Koy Banal and Topex Robinson picked the Heat because of their home court edge at the American Airlines Arena in South Beach.
“I would go for Miami because playing at home at this point is a big plus for them,” said San Sebastian mentor Robinson.
“I thought the Spurs will end it yesterday. The way the Heat ended game six, I believe they have the momentum going to game seven. Both the Heat and their fans will be inspired so it will be the Heat,” said Banal of Arellano.
Coach Ricky Dandan of the University of the Philippines is rooting for the Heat because of Eric Spoelstra, who traces his roots to San Pablo, Laguna.
“I’m actually rooting for Spo being Fil-American,” said Dandan, but he admits he’s not a “big fan of both teams” and is just “enjoying the series.”