PBA 2012-13 Philippine Cup Finals Schedule

The PBA 2012-2013 Philippine Cup finals is about to tip off. It was a long series of battle between four teams in the semis, all of which are vying for a spot in the finals. However, the Talk N Text Tropang Texters and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - among the recent champions in the league - emerged victorious over their respective opponents to earn the right to fight for the crown. 

Game 1 of the best-of-seven series will kick off on Wednesday, January 9, wherein the winner will draw the first blood in what many predict is a series that will go the distance. Head Coach Yeng Guiao will once again hope that the same formula that gave his team the trophy last time will be just as effective against a different opponent in Talk N Text. On the other hand, the latter will be having a brand new coach on the helm in Norman Black, so it will be interesting to see how things play out. 

Below is a full list of schedules for the PBA finals series between Talk N Text and Rain or Shine. Make sure to mark these dates and times on your calendar so you won't miss a single game in the finals:

Game 1 - January 9, Wednesday

Venue: Smart Araneta Coliseum
Time: 6:45 PM

Game 2 - January 11, Friday

Venue: Mall of Asia Arena
Time: 6:45 PM

Game 3 - January 13, Sunday

Venue: Smart Araneta Coliseum
Time: 6:00 PM

Game 4 - January 16, Wednesday

Venue: Smart Araneta Coliseum
Time: 6:45 PM 

Game 5 (if necessary) - January 18, Friday

Venue: Mall of Asia Arena
Time: 6:45 PM

Game 6 (if necessary) - January 20, Sunday

Venue: Smart Araneta Coliseum
Time: 6:00 PM

Game 7 (if necessary) - January 23, Wednesday

Venue: Mall of Asia Arena
Time: 6:45 PM

Are you going to watch the games? Which team do you think will be able to come up with a crown?

Talk N Text and Alaska Aces Vye for Last Finals Slot

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are back in the finals after clobbering the San Mig Coffee Mixers during their Game 5 match off of their series at the MOA Arena yesterday, January 3, 2013. The 90-83 win helped to secure the first half of the finals match, with the other pairing being between Talk N Text and Alaska Aces wherein the former have two chances to close out the series with a 3-2 lead.

The Talk N Text Tropang Texters are one step away from being back at the finals seat but head coach Norman Black isn't one to get too complacent. One thing is for sure, they are eyeing to close it out today as they go head-to-head at the PBA Philippine Cup semifinal duel. Allowing the Aces to take one more win will put them in a do-or-die situation and Black cannot afford that.

According to Black, "We will try our best to finish it...". However, he admitted that it won't be a walk in the park because "there is no quit in the Alaska team."

On the flip side, Aces head coach Luigi Trillo knows his team is not out of the fight just yet. "It's not about the talent on the other side at this point... We cannot make excuses". Hence, Aces fans can expect it to be a juggernaut as these two teams go to battle tonight.

If you can remember, several players were fined and ejected (albeit no suspensions were made) by the Commissioner's office during Game 3 of this series. Among the players fined and ejected due to the altercations that transpired in such a heated game were Jason Castro, Cyrus Baguio, Calvin Abueva, Gabby Espinas, Sonny Thoss, Jared Dillinger, and Kelly Williams. Expect no less than a battle tonight!

PBA Philippine Cup 2013: Alaska Aces Preview

Maybe the most improved team in the PBA 2012-13 season in terms of youth, experience, and depth of the roster. The Alaska Aces roster really captured my interest this year. Man they got LENGTH! The dawn of the new era of “Gatas Republic.”

For years, Alaska has been regarded as a family-friendly and a very wholesome team. Just pure basketball, no elbows being thrown, technicals called, and trash talking in the court. But that will all change this year as they acquired their second overall pick from SSC Calvin “The Beast” Abueva.

In my past post about winners and losers of the Tenorio trade, I talked about how Alaska got the trade right by acquiring youth and experience with last year’s top pick Jvee Casio and proven veteran guard “Cebuano Hotshot” Dondon Hontiveros. And with Cyrus Baguio, Mac Baracael (G/F) and Brandon Cablay, Alaska is quite tough in the backcourt for speed, athleticism and outside shooting.

But they’re not done yet. Alaska also has the lengthiest front court. Sonny Thoss will have his usual starting minutes at the Center spot and will be backed up by a decent post defender Samigue Eman. The PF position is stacked with reliable veterans such as Nic Belasco, Tony dela Cruz, both can play the post both offensively and defensively and shoot outside and behind the arc.

Now the questions for Alaska are:

Should they tame or unleash the beast?

 We all know what San Sebastian basketball is all about – physical. He can easily get 20-10 in NCAA any game he wants to. He can drive strong to the basket and finish. He loves the open court basketball. However, Abueva, sometimes, is too physical that he’s in the borderline of playing pesky and being dirty. Hailed as the beast, he has his own shares of technical fouls and flagrant fouls with that style.

Abueva is a terrific talent, but will coach Luigi Trillio run his triangle with him? Or will he let Casio run the offense and make Abueva as an option.

How will the new Triangle Offense work?

Coach Tim Cone’s triangle is a tested and proven system, and it was badly missed by Alaska for the past seasons. Now, Coach Luigi Trillio takes over and introduces his own kind of triangle. Alaska will have a whole season to familiarize it, and with Casio and Hontiveros on board, along with big men that can play outside, they have all the good pieces to surround Sonny Thoss.

Clearly, this team is a dark horse this season. Their fate depends on how their system works for them. If Casio can play their system right, then they have a good chance in the top 4. But it will surely take a while for this team to fully embrace its new system. Plus, Abueva is still stuck in NCAA. They may struggle at first, but they’ll surely be an exciting team to watch this season.

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