Gallent predicts Beermen to win

MANILA, Philippines -  B-Meg coach Jorge Gallent said the other day he expects the PBA Philippine Cup finals to go the full route with San Miguel Beer beating Talk ‘N’ Text in Game 7 for the championship.

At the moment, the series is tied at 2-2. Game 5 is set at the Araneta Coliseum tonight with the winner gaining a twice-to-beat advantage in what has been reduced into a best-of-three duel.

Gallent, a rookie PBA coach, took Derby Ace to the semifinals where the Llamados pushed the Texters almost to the limit before bowing out in Game 6. He said the experience of going up against the Tropa gave him insights on how San Miguel can repulse the Texters.

“A big factor is Jay Washington who’s been playing very well,” said Gallent. “He’s doing what he’s supposed to do – hit his shots, rebound, play defense, challenge the inside. Coach Ato (Agustin) has made big adjustments.

The key is to put a foot in the paint. It’s about clogging the lane and contesting jumpshots. The important thing is to force them to take low percentage shots. Defense will win it for San Miguel.”

Gallent said Talk ‘N’ Text’s strength is its deep rotation. “They outlasted us in our series,” he said. “Coach Chot (Reyes) used a rotation of 10 to 11 men while I could only do eight or less with James and Roger (Yap), Jonas (Villanueva) and P. J. (Simon) slowed down by injuries. But we gave it a good fight. Nobody thought we could go that far. A lot of our guys played extra minutes and it took a toll.”

Gallent said the Tropa’s guards aren’t just quick but also tough as nails. “Ryan (Reyes), Aaron (Aban), Jimmy (Alapag) and Jason (Castro) play physical,” he continued. “It’s not easy playing against them.”

Gallent said he opened the conference on the wrong foot but managed to find his bearings after realizing he’s got to adjust to the pro system. B-Meg got off to a 1-5 start then strung up five wins in a row, including a 104-97 decision over Talk ‘N’ Text and an 84-79 upset of Alaska. In the quarterfinals, the Llamados trounced Meralco twice to make it to the Final Four.

 “I coached like I was still in the amateurs in the beginning,” said Gallent. “I didn’t have the pro mentality. In the amateurs, we would scrimmage before a game. In the pros, we do walk-throughs and shoot-arounds. Slowly, I realized what I had to do to adjust and the guys helped me out. James, P. J., Roger and the others supported me throughout and I’m grateful for the good relationship we all have in the team.”

Gallent said everybody did his part to overachieve. “P. J. was the surprise,” he said. “Jondan (Salvador) gave us toughness. Rico (Maierhofer) and K. G. (Canaleta) showed the willingness to compete, to work hard. Jerwin (Gaco) was our enforcer, sacrificing his body, never backing down from anything no matter what. We signed him up for a year and he’s making the most of his opportunity. We got a big boost when Ping (Marc Pingris) came back and James will always be our main man. Roger, Chris (Timberlake) and Don (Allado) played quality minutes, too.”

According to Gallent, the biggest lesson he learned from his first PBA conference was not to overuse players. “I’ve got to know how to pace them especially when we play back-to-back games,” he said. “Players need their rest. I won’t unnecessarily play anyone extra minutes and I’ll try to use a longer rotation, a solid eight to nine players going up to 11.”

Gallent said Rafi Reavis, recently inked to a two-year deal, was cleared by doctors to play in the semifinals but saw action only in Game 3. “He complained of pain in his foot although we sent him to several doctors who felt he could play,” said Gallent. “He wants to rehab in the US but that’s something we still have to discuss. We’ll also decide soon on Rommel (Aduccul) whom we signed only to a one-conference contract.”

Gallent said he’s excited about Kerby Raymundo’s return on March 8. Raymundo has been in the US for surgery and rehabilitation since last Aug. 15. Raymundo will likely miss only B-Meg’s first three or four games in the second conference. Team manager Alvin Patrimonio said when Raymundo arrives, he’ll be ready to play.

Meanwhile, B-Meg’s import Robert Brown planed in last Sunday evening and reported for practice the next morning. Patrimonio described him as “very strong and explosive.” Gallent said he plays the four position and is quick to the basket. Brown is in town for a tryout.

Brown, 30, played two years with the University of Buffalo varsity then saw action in Australia, Mexico, Ireland, France, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Iran and Israel. In 2005, the burly 6-5, 220-pound won the slam dunk contest in the Australian league.

This season, he averaged 20.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists for Maccabi Habikaa in the Israel league. Brown hit an eye-popping .682 from two-point distance and .429 from three-point range. He also shot .729 from the line.