Looking forward to a Dallas-Miami NBA Finals

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In the classic battle between youth and experience, the latter always edges out victorious. This was proven once again in the just concluded Western Conference Finals of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The veterans-led Dallas Mavericks won over the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-1, in a very offensive-minded conference championship series (only in Game 3 did both teams go under 100 points).

That 4-1 slate looks deceiving though, as Dallas actually did not completely dominate the whole series. In fact, the last two games were OKC games, simply stolen by the Mavs in the endgame. In Game 4, Kevin Durant and company were up by 15 points with just under 5 minutes to play but could only manage 2 points the rest of the way as Dallas dropped in 17 points to force the game into overtime. Dallas eventually won, 112-105. Game 5 was pretty much the same story. OKC led Dallas most of the game before the latter staged a 17-6 run down the stretch to steal the show from the Thunder, 100-96.

But you have to give it to the OKC Thunder. This is the youngest team in the league in terms of players' age (average: 24); and in just its 3rd season as a relocated franchise (they were formerly the Seattle Supersonics), they have come this close to a conference championship. A little fine-tuning of its endgame poise, it will not be difficult to imagine OKC becoming the youngest ever NBA titlist next year.

Dallas is returning to the NBA Finals after its first ever stint at the championship in 2006 ended in a debacle. Five years ago, the Mavericks dominated the league and was actually up 2-0 against the Miami Heat at the onset of the finals before folding up amidst a 4-game rampage by Shaquille O'neal, Dwyane Wade and company.

By some fateful twist, the Mavericks will probably find themselves tangled once again with the same team that dealt them broken hearts in 2006. The Heat, as of this writing, is leading its own series against the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern conference, 3-1. The odds favor Miami, as a 3-1 card in the NBA playoffs have always resulted in the front-runner eventually winning the series except on only 3 occasions in the past.

Dallas and Miami may eventually mix it up once again in the finals, but both are not the same teams as five years ago. The Mavericks is still led by 12-year veteran Dirk Nowitzki but there's just Jason Terry left with him in the roster of the team which bowed to Miami in 2006. On the other hand, 29-year old Dwyane Wade still plays guard with the Heat but now forms the third post of a formidable triumvirate within the team known in the league as "the other Big 3", with MVP Lebron James (formerly of Cleveland) and erstwhile Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh. Now, that might sound like the scale tipping off in favor of Miami; but one has got to be reminded that Dallas actually won over Miami in their only two meetings in the regular season.

http://www.zimbio.com

I am almost sure there are quite a number of Filipino basketball fans who have lost interest in the NBA playoffs after favorites L.A. Lakers, Boston, and San Antonio got eliminated. But for the remaining diehards, everyone will be tuning in beginning next week; and it's almost certain that many will be rooting for the Miami Heat to repeat over Dallas. After all, the team is coached by Erik Spoelstra, a Filipino-American.

Me, I am happy that I see no L.A. or Boston in the finals.

Coca-Cola Tigers' one-miss-you-die and Brian Viloria

I got reminded when I opened today's Sunday Inquirer. Two local sports news that matter; at least to some of us including me.

One is about boxer Brian Viloria's hospitalization after losing his title yesterday to Colombian light-fly Carlos Tamara.

I was able to catch the second half of the fight over Solar TV's delayed telecast yesterday. I was prompted to do so after seeing a real-time bulletin in another channel that announced his defeat. I was not surprised of the flash bulletin knowing Viloria's tendency to lose big fights (announce his retirement and come back winning again). But I wanted to know how he lost this time.

I caught up with the fight midway (Round 6) and all the more I got intrigued about the turnout as it was Viloria I saw pounding his opponent. And the mauling (of Tamara) went on for another 2 rounds. The commentators were flashing their scorecard showing a sweep by Viloria since round one.

It was on the ninth round when the wind suddenly swept reverse. Viloria went like a freshly drenched pulp while Tamara looked as if he had just guzzled a gallon of Cobra energy drink. It was all downhill for Viloria from then on. Made me scratch my scalp: what's happening, did the Colombian Mafia made a call to either camp expressing its disagreement of how things were turning out in the first half?

Viloria could still have won the fight (on points) had he survived the final round. But we all should thank referee Bruce McTavish for saving the Fil-Am's life. The fight had to be halted as all Viloria could do in the final minute was to act like a worn-out punching bag to Tamara.

Now, Viloria is undergoing observation at the Makati Medical Center where he was brought after he collapsed in the dressing room after the fight. His CT scan results reportedly showed negative of any alarming injuries. Thank God.

The other news is Philippine basketball's (PBA) own knockout games tonight. A double-header at that. Rain or Shine vs. Sta. Lucia and Coca-Cola vs. Burger King. Will watch the latter game on TV.

No, I am not back to my old PBA-fanatic self once again like I used to when Alvin (Patrimonio) and Jolas (Jojo Lastimosa) were still leading Purefoods. It's just that I have grown some affinity with the present Coca-Cola Tigers after watching them play live three posts ago.

Ok, I know it must be because I have kababayans in the team. On the other hand though, you have to give it to the Tigers. They were on the brink when I last saw them play, 1-11, but now are 6-12. If my math is right, that's five games won against a single loss since then. Truly they have made good so far with their promise that 2010 is going to be the year of the Tigers.

An interesting dimension to Coca-Cola's do or die game tonight is they are facing the team (Burger King) whom they have recently traded key players with. It will be a curious thing to see how Alex Cabagnot (G) and Wesley Gonzales (F) will work towards eliminating their former colleagues.

The winners of tonight's double-header will face each other on Wednesday for another KO game.

-ooOoo-

UPDATE: The Tigers won, 118-112, after a scare - squandering a 21-point lead in the final quarter. Had they lost, they would have clearly deserved it. They will face Rain or Shine on Wednesday.

photos above by Pat Roque/AP and www.pba.com respectively

Coca-Cola Tigers vs. Talk 'n Text Tropang Texters in Gensan Live!

A live PBA game in Gensan! This is certainly an early Christmas gift not only for the Generals but for the residents of the entire SOCCSKSARGEN region as well. Thanks to the General Santos Local Government and Paper View Office and School Supplies, the Coca-Cola Tigers and Talk 'n Text Tropang Texters will slug it out at the General Santos Gym in Lagao, General Santos City this Saturday, December 5, 2009 beginning at 5:00 p.m. This event is part of the official roster of big events of PASKO sa Gensan 2009.

This excites me. I have watched live PBA games back in the 1990's when I was still Metro Manila-based and there's nothing like watching in the flesh one's favorite hoop players on the hardcourt. I have since resettled back to my hometown and have completely missed all other provincial sorties of the PBA in Gensan (and in nearby cities). But I am going to make this time an exception.

What's in store for us in a Tigers vs. Tropang Texters game? Complete thrill and excitement!

One, Coca-Cola's back is against the wall. With only one won game in 10 outings so far, there's no other option for the Tigers but to shed more blood for this game.

Two, Coca-Cola may be kulelat, but the local crowd will be on its side, not only because of the Filipinos' noted penchant for the underdog, but owing mainly to the presence of local kababayans among the Tigers. Bariles of  GenSan News Online Mag informs us that besides coach Kenneth Duremdes whom everybody knows to be a native of Koronadal, there's also rookie small forward/offguard Francis Allera who is a General himself; and of course, assistant coach Dolreich "Bo" Perasol who hails from Lagao, Gensan. Now, here's a sidebar to this: Coach Kenneth has just been promoted as Coca-Cola's alternate board governor so Bo is taking over as head coach for the Tigers this Saturday and onwards.

Three, Talk 'n Text is the defending Philippine Cup champion. With prolific playmaker and shooter, Finals MVP, and current scoring leader Mark Cardona leading the team, expect a run-and-gun game from the Tropang Texters who are out to improve its current 6-4 win loss record.

Ha! I am not only going to watch Coca-Cola Tigers vs. Talk n' Text Tropang Texters in Gensan, I am going to be at courtside with my 10-year old kid Anakin, who is an NBA fanatic and who is doubly thrilled by the prospect of watching his first live professional basketball game. It's the next best thing to being at the Staples Center in LA, he says.