(c) PBA Media Bureau
San Miguel Beermen is the defending champion of the Philippine Cup. Let me correct myself. They are the dominant defending champion of the Philippine Cup.
They are again the favorites for this year's tilt, which could be their fourth straight title! They only have six total losses in the elimination round of the last three Philippine Cup. They already have three.
Am I going to bet that they will reach six? No way. We all know that they will get into the playoffs.
Betting against them making the playoffs is still a ridiculous idea but we do need to find someone to blame for this struggle, right?
Let us then scrutinize their three losses.
THE PLAYERS?
In all three losses, they were outrebounded. They let all their opponents produced 18 or more 2nd chance points.
Rebounding is more of an effort thing. Yes, boxing out and proper positioning is also important but you can easily be outhustled by the opposing rebounders. The Beermen were outrebounded by an average of 5.7 per game.
Of course, we expect their rebounding to come from top 2 centers in the league, June Mar Fajardo and Christian Standhardinger. Unfortunately, the duo failed to total 20+ rebounds in one of those three games.
In all three losses, they committed more turnovers.
Even great players commit turnovers. This is an underrated aspect of the game and is deadly for loaded teams.
In those three games though, different players led them in the category. So, it is more of a cumulative thing.
COACHING?
In all three losses, they let their opponent connect on at least 12 three-pointers. Knowing that three-point shot is already proven as one of the two most efficient shots, defense then should adjust and limit it as much as possible.
Here is an ironic fact though. Only one team currently averages 12 or more threes per game and that team is San Miguel.
They understand that shooting threes is right and yet they are letting their opponents hit a lot of it. Stopping threes is more of a scheme thing, using the talent of your players in stopping it.
In all three losses, their bench was outscored by an average of 30.7 points.
I thought they are the most loaded team in the league? Injuries have been a problem too, but at least one of their core seven had come from the bench in those three matches. And yet their 2nd units were annihilated.
In two of their losses, they were outscored in the paint.
If you have Fajardo and Standhardinger, this is a huge yikes. Of course, we will not question the ability of Fajardo and Standhardinger in scoring in the post. We all know that they are two of the best in that area.
They also have a loaded frontline in terms of defense.
And yet 30.7 points? How come?
I will be fair though and point out this one. In all three losses, they recorded more assists than their opponent.
San Miguel is still the most well-oiled machine in the league. They are averaging the most assists per game in the entire league. The offensive scheme then is working in a way.
SO?
Who are you going to blame now?
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