Gilas players torn between Warriors, Cavaliers, expect game 7

The 2016 NBA Finals tips off on Friday (Manila time) with the Golden State Warriors hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.

It’s a rematch of last year’s Finals where the Warriors won in six games.

But this year promises to be a different series with the Cavaliers marching back to the championship round in full strength with LeBron James joined by a healthy Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

Safe to say, this duel could go either way heading into Game 1 and it’s no surprise that even players from the Philippine men’s national basketball team are torn between both sides.

Veteran point guard LA Tenorio, a longtime San Antonio Spurs fan, couldn’t make up his mind which team will end up hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy. What he’s sure of is the championship will be decided in the final game of the season.

“Prediction ko it will go all the way to Game 7. Last year kasi nag-short ang Cleveland because the injury of Kyrie but now they’re healthy. Plus, I think nakuha na nila yung sistema na gusto ni Tyronn Lue so I think it will be a better matchup compared to last year. Game 7 yan, doon mahihirapan tayo kung sino pipiliin,” said Tenorio, whose Spurs surprisingly were sent into early vacation by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Warriors, who cruised to an NBA record 73 wins in the regular season, have the home court advantage and if the Finals goes to seven games, it will be played at the “Roaracle” which is considered one of the loudest sports arenas.

But that won’t be their only edge in a Game 7, as per Tenorio.

The Warriors are coming off a grueling series against the Thunder, who blew a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals.

“Siguro ang lamang lang ng Golden State kapag umabot ng Game 7 is they were able to experience that kind of pressure during the Western Conference Finals and if they reach Game 7 again, they have the experience and Cleveland, all their games have been easy so I think mas prepared and Golden State going into the Finals,” said Tenorio.

“Pero ang advantage naman ng Cleveland is nakapagpahinga sila. So it’s gonna be pretty much an even matchup ngayon na healthy si Kyrie so I think it’s down-the-wire, Game 7, last two minutes doon lang magkakatalo and it’s going to be fun to watch.”

Calvin Abueva, too, sees a potential Game 7 happening. But unlike Tenorio, the Alaska Aces forward is certain that the Warriors will be on top.

“Warriors. Siguro mas maganda ending nitong games na ‘to. Last year, nung natalo yung Cavs natalo sila pero hindi sila kumpleto pero ngayon kumpleto na sila. Pero doon pa rin tayo sa Golden State. Seven-game series. Exciting na laban ‘to.”

Two-time UAAP MVP Ray Parks is siding with LeBron James’ team, although, he acknowledges the kind of challenge that awaits James and his championship-starving Cavaliers in trying to win their city’s first professional sports title since 1964.

“It’s tough. I want Bron Bron to bring it back home to Cleveland. He deserves it, but the thing is, Oklahoma City, they let go a big opportunity, they gave them momentum, gave them life. So it’s gonna be interesting to see,” Parks said. “Can’t predict anything right now, that’s a tough one. I’m just enjoying the game.”

James will be making his sixth straight Finals appearance and having lost his previous two trips will be one of his motivations to win, as per backup naturalized player Moala Tautuaa.

“Remember that this year, we got Love and Kyrie back. It will be a different series compared to last year and you know, LeBron, he’s a good player and he’s gonna bring his A game, it’s the Finals and I’m sure he’s tired tired of losing there,” said Tautuaa, who wants the Warriors to win and sees Steph Curry and company going back-to-back in six games.

“It’s gonna be a pretty good series and it’s gonna come down to who has the heart.