PBA Finals: Tied 2-2

Have the San Miguel Beermen really solved the offensive conundrum known collectively as Talk N Text as their plays have said the last couple of days?

If anything, the Beermen have managed to level the series at two games a piece-- a blow-out win in game three, and a cliff-hanger in game four. In yesterday's game, the Beermen relied on usual suspects (and newly minted Best Player of the Conference) Jay Washington, steady Arwind Santos and a vintage performance from big man Danny Ildefonso who all churned in 25, 18 and 17 points, respectively.

One of the reasons why SMB has won back to back games in the Philippine Cup Finals is the inspirational play of veteran Olsen Racela-- who is all set to retire at conference's end to concentrate on coaching the RP under 16 men's basketball team (backstopped by Ateneo/ MVP as always). While he hasn't contributed much points-wise, Racela has been making the big plays and controlling the tempo for SMB.

What I'd like to see is if Racela will still be able to contribute now that TNT's Ryan Reyes is back in harness. An Alapag-Reyes backcourt could render Racela helpless on defense since Racela is often shifted to guard Reyes' back-ups (namely Fonacier) who isn't as physical as the "Energizer." If Racela is asked to guard Alapag, I worry that the "Mighty Mouse's" speed, though deteriorating, is still two to three gears better than Ra-Ra's.

Reyes' return will also allow Jason Castro to flourish in the "super sub" role he has gotten accustomed to. It's a bit too early to crown him as one of the league's premier guards just yet, since he hasn't learned how to pace himself whenever he plays long minutes (Mark Caguioa, then blonde and skinny, had the same problem when he first entered the league as Vergel Meneses' back-up). That, plus the fact that Castro bites on just about every fake thrown his way (putting him in foul trouble and rendering him useless).

For SMB to capture their third straight win in this series, they need to maintain playing the aggressor instead of simply waiting for TNT to throw bombs at them early. Another vintage performance here and there (from Ildefonso, Racela and/ or Seigle perhaps?) wouldn't hurt either.

For TNT, they simply need to go back to the basics and play their game-- run and gun, hustle and drive.