Countdown begins tonight

For the last four playing days, the average attendance was 17,444 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The all-time record high of 23,108 was registered during the semifinal doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last May 8.

When Alaska upended San Mig Coffee to clinch the first Finals slot last Saturday, the attendance was 10,775. The next day, Ginebra San Miguel finished off Talk ‘N’ Text to claim the other Finals ticket before a crowd of 21,480. Tonight, Alaska and Ginebra lock horns in Game 1 of the best-of-five Finals with attendance expected to be close to the average over the last four playing days. As the series comes closer to a conclusion, attendance will pick up considerably.

What makes the Finals a blockbuster is the protagonists are hungry for a crown. Desire is a common denominator. Destiny will determine the winner. Alaska fans believe the Aces are destined to go all the way to the throne, taking the No. 1 seed in the eliminations and brandishing an overall record of 15-4, tops in the league. Alaska has won eight of its last nine outings. There isn’t a team that Alaska hasn’t beaten this conference.

Ginebra fans, however, insist that it’s their time. Ginebra hasn’t won a PBA title since Chris Alexander towed the Barangay to the 2007-08 Fiesta Conference crown. Alaska’s most recent title was the Fiesta Conference in 2009-10 with Diamon Simpson. So far, the Ginebra franchise has collected eight championships compared to Alaska’s 13.

To qualify for the Finals, Ginebra went through the wringer unlike Alaska. The Barangay started the conference on a dour 0-4 note. Original import Herbert Hill was dispatched after three setbacks and former Detroit Pistons forward Vernon Macklin came in to save the ship from sinking. In all, Ginebra enters the Finals with a 12-9 mark.  Ginebra hasn’t beaten Alaska in two encounters this conference, 84-69 last Feb. 23 and 102-93 last April 10.

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Ginebra finished the eliminations as the No. 7 seed and had to topple No. 2 Rain Or Shine despite a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the first round of the playoffs. Then, Ginebra survived another twice-to-beat handicap to upset Talk ‘N’ Text in the semifinals. Coach Alfrancis Chua said the team’s never-say-die attitude was the key to survival. Ginebra was outrebounded in every game of the Texters series but managed to emerge on top.

Ginebra assistant coach Allan Caidic singled out three factors that could decide the outcome in the Finals. “First, who can control the boards,” he said. “Second, both teams are hungry so whoever wants it more, will win and third, local support is very important (for) consistency.”

Another Ginebra assistant coach Juno Sauler agreed that rebounding is critical although it didn’t seem pivotal in the Texters series. “Controlling the boards is a big factor, that’s why we’ve been very aggressive in transition,” he said. “We try to keep pushing the ball before the defense gets to set up especially when we use three guards. In the halfcourt, players already know the attack points. They know whom to go to. Xs and Os aside, each and every member of the team shows that growing hunger to win. Coach Al has been a great motivator to the players, always getting them fired up, from pre-game, to timeouts to post-game.”

Although Ginebra is more known for its offense, Sauler said defense will play a major role, too. “On defense, players complement one another,” he said. “Our guards are very good on the ball and pick-and-roll defenders while Macklin, Kerby (Raymundo) and Rudy (Hatfield) helping and taking care of the paint, just being excellent off-ball defenders.”

Alaska leads the league in defense, allowing only 78.7 points a game. No other team comes close to being stingy. Ginebra is averaging 89.9 points this conference but in the Barangay’s three wins in the semifinals, that clip has jumped to a whopping 106.3. There’s no question when it’s a high-scoring game, Ginebra has the edge because of its run-and-gun style. The three-guard alignment allows Ginebra to play at a quick pace and that will surely be a headache for Aces coach Luigi Trillo who prefers a deliberate, halfcourt set. The team that dictates the tempo will likely emerge victorious.

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Here’s how the two teams stack up in 10 departments.

• Defense. In their first meeting this conference, Alaska limited Ginebra to only 69 points and won by 15. The Aces are as generous as Uncle Scrooge. The most any team has scored against Alaska is 93 and that was when Ginebra lost by nine in their second encounter. Advantage: Alaska.

• Offense. When Ginebra rains, it pours. The Barangay is unforgiving when it comes to scoring. Ginebra’s inside-outside artillery has the potency of a nuclear attack. The Kings are deadliest in transition. Advantage: Ginebra.

• Backcourt. L. A. Tenorio brought his A-Game to the Big Dome when Ginebra shut the door on the Texters last Sunday, delivering 28 points, six rebounds and five assists. Chua has the luxury of tapping Josh Urbiztondo or Jay-Jay Helterbrand to play point guard alongside L. A. who won’t be as tired bringing up the ball. Rob Labagala is another cracker who plays at a dizzying pace. Alaska will counter with Jvee Casio, Cyrus Baguio, Dondon Hontiveros and R. J. Jazul. Advantage: Ginebra.

• Imports. Rob Dozier has outplayed Macklin twice so far. In their first face-off, Dozier had 21 points and Macklin, 16. In their second clash, Dozier went berserk with 28 points and 20 rebounds to V-Mack’s 27 and 18. The bottom line is Alaska won both battles. Dozier is more versatile than Macklin who’s strictly an inside operator. Advantage: Alaska.

• Frontline. Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva, Gabby Espinas and Tony de la Cruz play the four and three spots for Alaska. They’re up against Ginebra’s Raymundo, Hatfield, Chris Ellis and Mac Baracael. Thoss and Raymundo might cancel each other out, leaving Abueva as the Aces’ X-factor. Advantage: Alaska.

• Efficiency. Ginebra proved in the Texters series that even without controlling the boards, the team can win with efficiency in execution. In the three games that Ginebra won over the Tropa, the Barangay averaged 21 assists and 13 turnovers – in the two losses, 9.5 assists and 16.5 turnovers. Alaska isn’t as focused in efficiency on offense as in defense. Advantage: Ginebra.

• Coaching. Chua’s fiery approach is extremely motivational. Trillo gets emotional, too, but isn’t as volatile as Chua. Trillo relies on motion and the triangle offense while Chua pounces on mismatches in size and quickness. Chua is backed up by Siot Tanquingcen, Caidic, Sauler, Art de la Cruz and Freddie Abuda while Trillo’s supporting cast consists of Alex Compton, Topex Robinson, Monch Gavieres, Franco Atienza and Louie Alas. Advantage: Ginebra.

• Rebounding. Statistics will show Alaska has a slight advantage in this department with Dozier, Thoss and Abueva hounding the glass. Macklin is a monster off the boards and his inside presence is a dominant factor. Advantage: Alaska.

• Depth. Without Mark Caguioa, Ginebra has a huge vacuum to fill. Ginebra’s resiliency will be severely tested in the Finals. Chemistry is an issue, too, as Urbiztondo struggles to fit in. Alaska is two-deep at every spot and Abueva’s off-the-bench role provides a big lift. Advantage: Alaska.

• Heart. There’s no team in the PBA with a heart as big as Ginebra’s. Maybe, it’s tradition or that never-say-die spirit. Ginebra showed incredible grit and mental toughness in making it to the Finals as the No. 7 seed, victimizing in the process No. 2 Rain Or Shine and No. 6 Talk ‘N’ Text. Advantage: Ginebra.

In a short series, Ginebra enjoys the edge because of the experience factor. Alaska isn’t used to Ginebra’s shock treatment and playing under crowd pressure. The Aces would be favored in a long series because the extra games will give youngsters like Casio and Abueva more time to acclimatize. Because it’s a best-of-five Finals, Ginebra’s veterans won’t be extended to play in a long grind – that’s an advantage Chua can count on.