It’s offense vs defense in PBA Finals

Scribe Gerry Ramos of Spin.ph made an interesting comment moments after the San Miguel Beer-Alaska finals press conference at Sambokojin Restaurant in Eastwood City had adjourned.

In all the years he had been attending such an event, Gerry said this is the first time that the coaches of both teams had been riddled with so many questions.

Alaska’s Alex Compton and San Miguel’s Leo Austria were seated in the middle of one long row of guests facing the media.

The two coaches, who were both wearing red T-shirts, like the members of their respective teams, flanked PBA chair Pato Gregorio and San Miguel governor Robert Non.

“Maybe that’s because it’s the first time for both mentors to coach in the championship round of the PBA,” Gerry said.

Leo Austria, for example, was “ambushed” by sports journalists on his way to the presidential table, the press conference proper had to be delayed a few minutes.

I don’t know what it was they wanted to know from Leo that couldn’t wait for a few more minutes.

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The usual pre-finals queries were asked, hoping that the answer or answers would make for an interesting angle and copy. More interesting, that is, than the usual run-of-the-mill stories.

Coach Alex said that being the underdogs, they want to stretch the series as far down the wire as they can.

“The longer the series, the better for us,” he said.

Coach Leo, on the other hand, wants to finish the final round as soon as they can.

“Gusto ko sana matapos agad,” he said.

During the question and answer forum, coach Leo expressed his apprehension over the Aces’ vaunted defense which, everyone  agrees, is the team’s main weapon. They also give that defense credit for the Aces’ string of victories.

Alaska’s pressure defense and the Aces’ fine physical condition are coach Leo’s greatest fears in this series.

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“It will be Alaska’s defense versus San Miguel’s offense in the PBA Philippine Cup finals series,” the sports scribes agreed.

Coach Alex admitted he and his coaching staff still have to figure out a way to stop two-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, “the most prominent player in San Miguel,” who still has to taste a PBA championship.

June Mar said he will be willing to trade a BPC (Best Player of  the Conference) trophy for a championship, but no one from the opposing camp would likely accept such a swap.

A coach will never reveal his team’s true strengths and weaknesses, especially if the opponent in a championship series is listening, and that’s why the two coaches talked only of their opponent’s strength and weaknesses that afternoon.

Just before the presscon ended, coach Alex thanked his defensive coach Louie Alas for the role he played in getting the Aces to the finals.

Louie is the assistant coach of Alaska and his main task is to devise defensive schemes.