It's amazing how a few days ago, people were talking about the Star Hotshots sweeping the Barangay Ginebra. And rightly so, since during the first two games, the guards of Star were waxing hot. And if Star wants to win this series, they have to get back to basics.
Never mind the wrong calls of the officials. In my opinion, there were some calls that should have gone Ginebra's way, and there are some calls that should have gone Star's way. But if players and coaches keep dwelling on the non-calls even when the game has already progressed, it destroys team and player morale.
If Star wants to know the reason it is losing, here's a piece of my mind:
- They have lost their three-point shooting. And this favors Tim Cone. Coach Cone had a hard time when he was against team's that relied on the three in the past. Coach Cone favors two point exchanges. I don't know why Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Justin Melton and Alain Maliksi suddenly are throwing bricks. Jio Jalalon has yet to prove that he can score beyond the arc. But the four guards should get back their shooting form. And Marc Pingris and Raffy Revis can work better if they have more space down below since the defense is trying to guard their shooters. And if you want to get to the Finals, and you end up facing SMB, you'll have a hard time keeping up if you can't match their three point shooters with your own.
- Stop using Mark Barroca and Paul Lee as defensive stoppers. They are the play makers of Star, so they have to be fresh. Use Jalalon, Dela Rosa, Melton, Simon and other players off the bench for defense.
- Maliksi should learn to be a better defensive player. If you keep throwing up three-point bricks, then at least show some defensive hussle and make things happen on the court despite your scoring absence.
- Raffy Revis should really learn to rebound using two hands. Those one handed rebounds keep getting deflected to the opponent.
- Mark Pingris should loosen up. Playing too tight and with a temper affects your team. I know you are the leader of the Hotshots, but if your teammates see that you're not enjoying the game, they won't enjoy the game either. The series is tied. You guys are not down. You can still win this game. And stop guarding Sol Mercado during crunch time. You are the last line of defense. The reason why Aguilar was getting those alley-op plays was because you weren't in the shaded area. Put Jalalon, Maliksi, or Dela Rosa on any guard that thinks they can slash into the paint.
- Coach Victolero, stay calm and composed. If you team sees that you're rattled just because of a travelling violation non-call, they'll be rattled and play tense.
- Star team, please enjoy the game again. You have great new teammates in Paul Lee and Jio Jalalon. Use these guys' strengths. Lee is better shooting from the outside, and occasionally slasing. Jalalon should either slash, post, or shoot from mid-range until the time he has proven that he has a three-point shot. The semis isn't the time to experiment. Go back to your strengths.
This is just my two cents worth.
I'm enjoying this series because Coach Cone coached Star in the past and led it to a grand-slam. Now that Coach Cone is with Ginebra, I think the true test that one has learned lasting lessons from a mentor is if one can beat the mentor. And if Star wins, I think Coach Cone would be proud deep inside, since he taught that Star core how to win. With the exception of James Yap, that Star core is still in tack. And I think they still have a couple of championship runs within them.
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