Offense also wins championships

The NCAA men’s basketball championship will come down to how the players break away from the defenses and find ways to score.

We’re in that phase of basketball history where coaches are now repeatedly underscoring the value of playing game-long defense. Players have to be reminded of their defensive responsibilities because it’s more fun to play offense and defense demands doing so much more without the ball.

There has to be a good defensive stance, lateral movement, quickness and teamwork with your teammates. That’s right, teamwork because you do have to switch, double team or hold defensive positions if you’re playing zone.

Defense is also not just about blocking shots or creating steals. There’s also a need for a defensive sense where you force your opponent to do things he is not accustomed to doing.

If an opponent likes to drive on the left wing, you force him to go right. Or if a team likes to do endless pick and roll, you work as a team to switch or block the cut to the hoop.

Understandably, the coaches in the NCAA finals will repeatedly preach the defense gospel and there’s no doubt that there’s a ton of it being played by Letran and San Beda.

The low scores are indicative of that. But the defense is more evident in the guard and small forward positions where there are some very talented gunners.

Defending champion San Beda took Game 1 with guards Baser Amer and Ryusei Koga hitting key baskets to complete a rousing come-from-behind 62-60 win. Then in Game 2, it was the turn of Letran’s sentinels Carlo Lituania, Mark Cruz and Kevin Alas to stop any comeback attempt by the Red Lions as the Knights carved out a 62-55 win to knot the series.

In Game 1, Alas still scored 18 points but was nowhere near his 43-point Final Four explosion against San Sebastian. He was clearly hounded and challenged each time he launched a shot.

In the second encounter, Amer was the marked man and could not easily penetrate the Knight fortification.

It will now come down to how both teams break away from each other’s defensive tentacles. San Beda is trying to pound it inside to get the higher percentage point-blank attempts from big man Ola Adeogun.

However, Adeogun may have to give up the ball early when a double team clamps down on him so as to give the perimeter players cracks at the basket. A Lion is bound to be open when that defensive gamble takes place.

San Beda’s shooters just continue to take good outside attempts to keep the Letran defense busy.

On the other hand, Letran likes to swing the ball around the perimeter after a dribble drive by the smaller men. Letran should continue to look for Alas who has the most reliable hand but should also spot Lituania and big man Jonathan Belorio who has a great touch for a big.

Belorio has a dependable rainbow attempt that he hit well in the San Sebastian series and in Game 2 against San Beda.

It’s been a great series so far, without any mindless bickering and recklessness by both sides. The players are letting it all hang out on the court, the way the game should be played. It will now come down to who breaks away from the clutches of the other.