The Main Weapons of TNT and San Miguel

(c) PBA Media Bureau

Star and Ginebra will always be the #1 rivalry in the PBA, but in the realest sense of the term "rivalry", the San Miguel Corporation versus the MVP group is the real deal!

And for the 2017 Commissioner's Cup, we will see their flagship franchises slug it out in the Finals!

What makes this a must watch to me is the fact that the two squads are near-full health. Meaning, we will see the maximum power of both teams!

Both squads are called powerhouse. They are loaded with stars and talented players. But, what are the biggest weapons of the two teams against each other? Let us find out!

TNT - Stretch Bigs

What made TNT a powerhouse was not the star power alone of the names in their rosters. The ability of their frontliners to snipe from the outside was one of the main reason why TNT preserved their status as a powerhouse.

Ranidel de Ocampo and Troy Rosario are known for their ability to hit from the outside. Unfortunately for SMB, Moala Tautuaa and Kelly Williams can also do the trick. 

Outside shooting entails better spacing for the creators to operate. And, who is the #1 creator of TNT? Yes, the best point guard in Asia, Jayson Castro.

Their ability to shoot from beyond the arc also minimize the control of the frontline of San Miguel, inside. I will not be shock to see TNT force June Mar to man one of their stretch bigs, to force him out of the paint.

San Miguel - Clutchness 

The time has come to anoint San Miguel as the best crunchtime team in the league. Of course, the main reason is the presence of the crunchman, Alex Cabagnot. I will not be shock if you disagree with me that Alex had been the best player in the league in the last 3 minutes of a close game, in the last several years!

It seems like, everytime they were in trouble in the last few minutes of a game, Cabagie will hit a swith and he suddenly turns into a 60% shooter from the outside, and 75% shooter in the field! 

Then, we also need to remember a guy name Marcio Lassiter. Who happened to knocked a game-winning shot in their semifinals series against Gienbra.

Then, add the fact that giving the ball to Fajardo when he is on the low post is one of the top 3 decisions during crunchtime. 

TNT - Jayson Castro

There is only one best point guard in Asia and he happened to be a Ka-Tropa! The point guard position is the deepest position in the league but in the last five years, we had never question the supremacy of The Blur in the position.

By improving his jumper, Castro had become the most unstoppable guard in the league. He was cold in their semifinals series against Ginebra but he ended Ginebra's run with his 38 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists performance.

Chris Ross will surely be the man to handle Jayson Castro. That match-up will be one of the most vital duel in this series.

SMB - Depth

TNT is a powerhouse team but no team can beat the depth of the roster of San Miguel. Their sixth man is one of the top 20 players in the league, Arwind Santos. With his athleticism, versatility and flexibility alone, he had turned the Beermen's bench into one of the bench.

He can easily replace one of their starting five and the five on the court will suddenly shift into another kind of force.

Example, if he replaced Ross, the five of Cabagnot-Lassiter-Santos-Rhodes-Fajardo will be be a very long one with better spacing.

What about if he replaced Rhodes? Then the All-Filipino five of Cabagnot-Ross-Lassiter-Santos-Fajardo can showcased their chemistry and play quicker.