Fire or Ice will decide PBA Finals

AFTER 12 hard-fought games in the quarterfinals and the semifinals, Alaska has bucked the odds to march into the PBA Fiesta Conference Finals. The Aces turned around a seemingly lost Game 5 against Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals into one of the most dramatic games in recent history. Then, they reversed a 2-3 deficit into a series triumph against a Talk ‘N Text team that strung together 13 straight wins in the eliminations to enter the semifinals outright. With that awesome run in the classification phase, the Tropang Texters were understandably the favored team in the semifinals. They were rested and had a lineup boosted by the acquisition of Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes at the midway point of the eliminations. It seemed that it would be just a matter of time before they’d be in the finals. But as coach Chot Reyes put it, they were outworked by Alaska in Game 6, and it seemed that way again in Game 7. Alaska played without the injured Sonny Thoss and with an overworked point guard in LA Tenorio. The Aces turned to quickness to turn the tide against TNT and revealed a ferocious desire to be in the finals. The odds will be no different when the Aces go up against a San Miguel Beer team that has size, firepower and a craving for a 19th conference championship. Tim Cone’s postgame comments indicate that his team has already been through two gauntlets and going up against San Miguel in the finals will be nothing new. But this time it may not be that easy. Size will definitely be on the side of the Beermen, what with Dorian Peña, Mick Pennisi, Danny Ildefonso, Danny Seigle and Jay Washington. Defensively, the Aces will also have their hands full marking Dondon Hontiveros, Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos. San Miguel can stretch its lineup in a number of ways while Alaska does not have that same convenience. * * * The difference could be the import battle where Alaska has an Iceman named Diamon Simpson. Simpson’s even-keeled demeanor, despite getting hammered endlessly and getting called for offensive fouls, has been a soothing influence to an Alaska team missing so many important parts. Simpson will get his points, usually in the 25- to 30-point range, but he will rebound the ball just as passionately and feed his teammates so that they, too, can get their respective games going. But San Miguel is not exactly lacking in a quality import. Gabe Freeman, last year’s Best Import and the firecracker of the Philippine Patriots team in the Asean basketball tournament, is a bundle of energy that plucks rebounds and scores on putbacks. Alaska will have its days full trying to stop Freeman and will have to sacrifice immensely in the bigs department where it is already hurting. The expected Fire and Ice duel between the two contenders for the Best Import Award will be the cynosure matchup of the PBA Finals. They may not exclusively battle each other given that there will be constant switching from the center and power forward positions in the course of the championship. There will also be an endless string of double teams in an attempt to tone down these two fine imports. Nevertheless, their performances will be the barometers of this finals.  Where Simpson or Freeman go is probably the same place their respective teams will head.