Dream playoff

Two teams are locked in a dispute for the second outright quarterfinals ticket in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference and they’re the fiercest of rivals.

At the end of the double-round eliminations last Sunday, three squads were tied with identical 11-7 records.

Alaska, Coca-Cola and Talk ‘N’ Text were in a logjam for second spot.

To break the deadlock, the three clubs were ranked according to quotient.

Alaska had the highest quotient at plus-41 then Coca-Cola at minus-14 and finally, TNT at minus-27.

That relegated the Phone Pals to fourth overall, gaining a twice-to-beat advantage over No. 9 FedEx in the wildcard quarterfinal qualifiers.

Alaska and Coca-Cola are left to slug it out for the No. 2 spot.

Their duel is set tomorrow at the Big Dome.

The winner joins San Miguel Beer safely into the quarters where two foreign entries–the University of British Columbia varsity and possibly, a US selection–are booked to compete in the eight-team derby.

The loser drops to No. 3 with the consolation of a twice-to-beat advantage over No. 10 Purefoods in the quarterfinal qualifiers.

What makes the duel between Alaska and Coca-Cola a dream playoff is their storied rivalry.

Tigers coach Chot Reyes was Aces coach Tim Cone’s assistant for three years before moving to Purefoods in 1993.

Four of Reyes’ players–Jeffrey Cariaso, Johnny Abarrientos, Poch Juinio and Bong Hawkins–were on Alaska’s grand slam squad of 1996.

And the archenemies figured in the Finals of the 2002 All-Filipino Cup with the Tigers creaming the Aces in four games of a best-of-5 series.

Two of Coca-Cola’s three wins were overtime decisions.

Last year, both Alaska and Coca-Cola took turns on the dais.

The Aces got ahead of Coca-Cola by claiming the Second Conference crown at the Tigers’ expense, no less.

Alaska beat Coca-Cola in a best-of-3 tie that went the distance.

One of the Aces’ victories came in overtime, again underscoring their close competition.

It was Coca-Cola’s turn on the throne in the Third Conference as the Tigers defeated San Miguel in a seven-game thriller.

Only three teams haven’t changed imports in the Fiesta Conference.

Two of the three are Coca-Cola and Alaska.

San Miguel’s Art Long is clearly the import yardstick but the Tigers’ Mark (Big Dawg) Sanford and Alaska’s Galen Young are in a class of their own, too.

So far, the Aces and Tigers have split their two meetings this year.

Coca-Cola drew first blood by trimming Alaska, 86-83, last March 3 but the Aces were without John Arigo and Don Allado.

The Tigers missed the services of Rudy Hatfield, Cariaso and Poch Juinio.

Sanford erupted for 40 points to lead the Tigers charge.

Young was held to only 19 on 8-of-22 from the floor.

In their rematch last May 22, Young rebounded with a vengeance and fired 27 points–including eight in the pivotal fourth period–as Alaska blasted Coca-Cola, 96-76.

Sanford, nursing gimpy knees, scored 20.

There was talk Sanford would be replaced by Tate Decker on an interim basis to rest his battered knees before the game but the former University of Washington star insisted on playing.

Coca-Cola is coming off a resounding 29-point blowout of Shell but that came after back-to-back losses.

The Aces are on a two-game winning streak that was preceded by three straight setbacks.

It’s interesting that neither Sanford nor Young is a center.

The opposing imports are versatile "swing" players who are comfortable in the two or three spot.

They’re both threats from the perimeter and equally capable of putting the ball on the floor in driving strong to the hoop.

Hatfield, who sat out 15 straight games before being reactivated for the TNT game last Wednesday, is expected to play a crucial role in tomorrow’s playoff.

The H-Bomb is a hard-hatter who might be matched up against Young, leaving Sanford to concentrate on offense.

But Young isn’t Reyes’ only problem.

Ali Peek and Don Allado are also big thorns on the Tigers’ side.

So it’s possible Reyes will rotate defenders on Young to allow Hatfield to focus on Allado, too.

Reynel Hugnatan will surely be in the defensive rotation.

Juinio may not be a match for Peek one-on-one so it’s likely the Tigers will double at the post.

Alaska’s defense has been unforgiving.

In its 11 wins so far, the Aces limited their victims to an average of 86 points–that’s counting the double overtime victory where Shell shot 114.

Alaska has limited its last two opponents to an average of 78.5.

So the accent in tomorrow’s showdown will likely be defense.

Cone and Reyes will make sure each high percentage shot is contested, making interior defense a priority.

Outside shooting will be a key factor because there will be few easy layups.

Rebounding will be critical, especially on the offensive glass, because defense will stymie scoring opportunities.

Since playing defense is tougher on the lungs than playing offense, pacing is vital.

Second unit players must provide the continuity in energy and intensity.

The team with less turnovers, more rebounds and a more productive bench will have a decisive edge in the final reckoning.