MANILA, Philippines – Probably the most intriguing match-up in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals is the point guard duel between Talk ‘N’ Text’s Jimmy (Mighty Mouse) Alapag and San Miguel Beer’s Alex (Crunchman) Cabagnot.
They’re both quick, intelligent and clutch shooters. When the game’s on the line, San Miguel coach Ato Agustin looks for Cabagnot to take over. It’s the same thing with Texters coach Chot Reyes who won’t hesitate to tap Alapag for the last make-or-break play.
Last season, Alapag led the league in average assists with a 6.5 clip while Cabagnot was No. 2 at 5.5. In assist-to-turnover ratio, they were also ranked 1-2 with Alapag at a lofty 3.3 (304-to-93) and Cabagnot at 2.8 (273-to-96). Alapag scored 14 points a game and Cabagnot, 10.2.
This conference, Alapag is averaging 5.8 assists and Cabagnot, 5.3. In assist-to-turnover ratio, Crunchman has a slight edge, 3.5 to 2.8. The Mighty Mouse is hitting at a 14.7 clip and Cabagnot, 9.8.
What makes their job easier is they’ve got teammates who are prolific scorers. Alapag and Cabagnot would rather pass than shoot. But when the time comes for them to take the big shot, they won’t back down.
Cabagnot has so far hit three buzzer-beaters to win games for San Miguel this conference. He’s tough to stop on isolations because he’s so deceptive and so quick. Cabagnot, a lefty, isn’t as deadly from three-point range as Alapag but he’s outshooting the Texters star overall from the field, .422 to .396. Alapag averages 5.6 three-point attempts compared to Cabagnot’s 1.9 - which explains why Crunchman has a higher accuracy rate.
Cabagnot, 28, is in his sixth PBA season while Alapag, 33, is in his eighth. Alapag was the 10th pick overall in the 2003 draft. Cabagnot was the second choice behind Jay Washington in 2005. Alapag, Harvey Carey, Jared Dillinger and Jason Castro are the only Texters who’ve played their entire careers with the PLDT franchise. Cabagnot went from Sta. Lucia Realty to Coca-Cola to Air21 before landing at San Miguel last year.
Alapag played two seasons for the California State at San Bernardino varsity in the NCAA Division II. Cabagnot also suited up for an NCAA Division II school, University of Hawaii at Hilo, where he averaged 9.6 points in 2003-04 and 14.4 in 2004-05 under coach Jeff Law. In his senior season, he was once cited as the Pacific West Conference Player of the Week. A highlight game was when Cabagnot compiled 22 points, including four treys, and six assists in the Vulcans’ 91-70 win over St. Martin’s College in 2004-05.
Cabagnot wears his hair like Steve Nash and is a master at creating space for a drive down the middle or along the side to dish or score. Alapag’s range makes him difficult to defend - if you stick too close, he’ll dribble by and if you give him room, he’ll drain the rainbow.
Depth is a factor that will be vital in the series. Behind Alapag is Castro although Reyes sometimes plays them together. Ryan Reyes and Larry Fonacier, a pair of off-guards, are capable of playing the point if necessary. Agustin’s luxury is picking Olsen Racela or Paul Artadi or Denok Miranda or Joseph Yeo to relieve Cabagnot.
Three players are averaging over 30 minutes a game for San Miguel - Washington, Dondon Hontiveros and Arwind Santos. That means Agustin’s rotation is limited. Cabagnot is logging 26.5 minutes a game but that’s because he has a slew of backups. At Talk ‘N’ Text, only Alapag is averaging at least 30 minutes, an indication that the wealth is more evenly distributed with the Tropa. Eight Texters are averaging at least 20 minutes a game compared to five for San Miguel. In a long series, the team with more depth has a huge advantage.
Three players are averaging in double figures in scoring for San Miguel - Washington (15.8), Hontiveros (15.3) and Santos (15.1). When the three are on the floor, the defense can’t blink. In contrast, five players are hitting in twin digits for the Texters - Alapag (14.7), Ali Peek (13.8), Castro (10.9), Kelly Williams (10.6) and Carey (10.6).
Cabagnot’s scoring high this conference is 17 points while Alapag’s is 33. Alapag has scored at least 20 in six outings, two of which Talk ‘N’ Text lost. Cabagnot has sat out only one game this conference, Game 5 of the Ginebra semifinal series, and San Miguel lost it - obviously, his absence made a difference.
Other interesting match-ups are Washington versus Williams, Dorian Peña versus Peek in the middle, Hontiveros versus Reyes and Santos versus Ranidel de Ocampo or Dillinger. How the opposing coaches will adjust to match-up situations as the series progresses is critical.