MANILA – Phoenix Suns are tipped to go all the way against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2020-2021 NBA Finals, which will begin on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines at the Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
The majority of the Western Visayas-based coaches and sports personalities interviewed by Panay News on Tuesday see the Suns bagging home the championship trophy in five or six games.
Hua Siong College of Iloilo head coach Vincent Conlu: “(Suns) Chris Paul is effective with his pick-and-roll, while they also have a defender against (Bucks’) Khris Middleton. (Phoenix’s) Devin Booker is also unstoppable on the dribble drive.” Suns in six.
Bacolod Tay Tung High School secondary boys head coach Yong Despi: “Medyo mahirap hanapan ng paraan ‘yung system na pick and roll ni (Paul) tsaka (Deandre) Ayton. Also, Paul’s read and react sa opponents is hard to stop.” Suns in six.
University of St. La Salle coach Arnald Blanco: “The healthier team has the edge. And with (Bucks star) Giannis (Antetokounmpo) not 100 percent, I see Phoenix having an edge. I am also rooting for Paul’s first NBA championship.” Suns in six.
Hercor Jaguars coach Jay Pisuena: “It’s been a while for both teams to reach the finals but, para sa akon Phoenix ang may advantage kay kung lantawon ta subong halos tanan nila nga players subong healthy. Kung indi maka hampang si Giannis for the Bucks, dako gid nga minus sa ila sa defense kag offense.” Suns in six.
Hercor College Junior Jaguars coach Jeffrey Abool: “Both teams are hungry for an NBA championship but tingin ko mas angat ang Phoenix because of Chris Paul’s hunger for a title and Giannis’ injury.” Suns in six.
Dingle National High School coach Prandy Wong: “Phoenix has an edge on Paul’s basketball IQ. Suns also have a nice ball rotation, solid bench depth. Milwaukee may be the taller team but Phoenix has the speed.” Suns in five.
Central Philippine University Sports director Edwin Caro Laru-an: “Phoenix had the luxury of rest unlike Milwaukee since most of their series were lengthy. Phoenix also has a healthy lineup. Paul’s maturity and leadership will be a factor.” Suns in five.
Dinagyang Elite Basketball commissioner Von Fernandez: “Suns will have the edge because of Chris Paul’s leadership. Their ‘seven seconds offense’ was working wonders because they have the speed advantage.” Suns in five of six games.
Iloilo Sports Lang co-host Rodolfo Go Villaruz: “As a fan of great point guards, it is a personal choice for me that Paul’s time is now. His presence easily makes the team a lot better, making Booker even deadlier and Ayton more dominant. I see Mikal Bridges to be the x-factor for the Suns in this series.” Suns in six.
While the majority forecast that Suns will win the series, other coaches and sports personalities like Bacolodnon coach Dexter Dy, Santa Clarita International School mentor Rodel Camacho, and NBTC Region 6 head Richard Gabayoyo see Bucks taking the crown.
Dy: “As they say, defense wins the championship, and Milwaukee has the better defensive team in this series. The Bucks have proven that they can closeout a series even without Giannis. As for the Suns, they have never met a team in the playoffs that has a balance offense and defense like what the Bucks have.” Bucks in six.
Camacho: “Tingin ko may advantage ang Bucks since they have proven that they can win a series even without Giannis. Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Bobby Portis will step up and will make the Suns miserable.” Bucks in six.
Gabayoyo: “Compared to Phoenix, Milwaukee Bucks have more players to utilize, more options. Even without Giannis, the Bucks have shown that they can still play and become highly competitive plus the thirst of winning the championship.” Bucks in six.
The Suns reached the best-of-seven finals series by defeating Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference finals in Game 6, while the Bucks ousted Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference finale in six matches./PN
