SIMOUN SAYS: Let’s Talk About The PBA Playoffs
Welcome, one and all, to Simoun Says!
Let’s get some introductions out of the way, shall we? My name is Simoun, and I’m certainly not complete without “u,” dear readers of ALL-STAR Magazine. As a contributing writer to this fine publication, I’ve had the pleasure of chronicling the PH boxing team at the 2024 Olympics, writing creative nonfiction on Marcio Lassiter, and (my personal favorite) telling the story of how my UP Fighting Maroons went from cellar to ceiling.
With the blessing of senior editor (and fellow Star Wars fan) Naveen Ganglani, I’ll be writing a weekly column that covers the hottest topics in the world of basketball: UAAP, NCAA, PBA, NBA, FIBA, and the list goes on. Every now and then, I’ll dip my toes into other fields (combat sports and pro wrestling, perhaps?), but this column will mostly be the musings of a die-hard hoops junkie.
Stay tuned ’till the end, friends! While the main course on this plate is my (hopefully) juicy insight on a sports topic, I’ll also have a couple of side dishes to make this a complete meal.
Get it? Got it? Good. Let’s get down to business.
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Remember that scene in Inside Out 2 when Joy jettisons a not-so-pleasant memory into a distant region called Back of the Mind?
Right now, there’s a not-so-pleasant topic that could potentially alter my viewing experience of the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs. So, off to the back of my mind, it goes. For the time being, at least.
Here’s what I now see: four fascinating playoff series that have been—for the most part—tightly contested. With the exception of a historic 52-point walloping, these matchups have produced highly competitive basketball up and down the order.
Look more closely, and you’ll find distinct stories unfolding in each series. To wit:
- The up-and-coming Converge FiberXers are having a baptism of fire (or perhaps even confirmation rites) at the hands of San Miguel.
- Tired of the bridesmaid tag, Rain or Shine and Magnolia are out to prove that they’re worthy of a ring.
- Ginebra and Meralco are fighting like two celebrity exes—an endless battle underscored by pride, with the entire country watching.
- NLEX, the spunky sibling of firstborn TNT, wants to validate its self-sufficiency.
Everywhere I look, it’s intense hoop action that comes down to the wire, more often than not. There are many, many superstar highlights to go around: Jhonard Clarito turning heads once again by pouring in 25 points in RoS’ Game 1 win, Alec Stockton breaking the hearts of the San Miguel Beermen with his game-winning jumper, and the Robert Bolick-DeQuan Jones duo helping NLEX even up their series against TNT.
Oh, and there’s Justin Brownlee doing Justin Brownlee things en route to Ginebra’s sweep of Meralco. Marvelous.
I’d be happy if I could just think about the action on the hardcourt and nothing more. But then, that thing at the back of my mind can’t help but come to the forefront.
It’s the format. Sigh.
PBA mainstays like Chot Reyes and Yeng Guiao (as well as former league commissioner Noli Eala, who chimed in on X) have many colorful ways of saying things, but they all have the same argument. They contend that, in a tournament with a two-group format, the number one seeds should not be on a collision course until the Finals.
My question is: What difference does it make? I look at the actual quarterfinal battles taking place, and I see cagers leaving it all on the floor from buzzer to buzzer. Team play is clicking, coaches’ playbooks are expanding, and clutch moments are constantly coming to life. Given the stellar play of every team that made the playoffs, does it matter if TNT and Rain or Shine meet in the semis instead of the finals?
Simoun says it does.
Because league-leading teams deserve to be rewarded in the playoffs. Because matchups involving top seeds deserve to have the biggest stage. Because adherence to tried-and-tested, logically sound tournament formats is just as important as innovations like 27-foot arcs.
Night in and night out, PBA players do their best to flawlessly put the ball through the rim in the name of conquering games and capturing titles. Hopefully, those in charge of designing and implementing formats can uphold the same standards of pinpoint accuracy.
Because, to be perfectly honest, I don’t know how long I can keep unconventional formats at the back of my mind.
By the Numbers
In this segment, I offer fun little factoids mixed with context and analysis. With some wit, I think.
12:49
The total duration of game time in which the Adamson Soaring Falcons failed to score a field goal in their Sept. 28 matchup against the UP Fighting Maroons. At the 7:44 mark of the second quarter, Matt Erolon drained an outside shot to stretch Adamson’s lead to 31-9. The next time a Soaring Falcon converted on any two-point or three-point attempt was the 4:55 mark of the third quarter (a Royce Mantua layup). In other words, the Maroons’ defense held the Falcons scoreless for longer than a UAAP quarter—and, indeed, longer than even a PBA quarter.
62.5%
The true shooting percentage of Karl-Anthony Towns at the end of the NBA’s 2023-2024 regular season. Factoring two-point field goals, three-point field goals, and free throws, the TS statistic is a better indicator of offensive efficiency compared to basic field goal percentages. Outside of Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert (who isn’t a jump-shooter by any stretch of the imagination), no other Minnesota player with significant minutes outdid Towns in TS last season. This is basically another way of saying: Why in the world did Minnesota pull the trigger on that Towns trade?
26,300
The estimated number of Tweets posted by Adrian Wojnarowski on his official X account. Given this prolific social media activity, I can’t imagine how many “Woj bombs” have led to dropped jaws and burning headlines over the years. Now that Woj has left ESPN and accepted a managerial role at his alma mater, will we never get another viral Tweet from the veteran journalist? I might still be in denial over this one.
Speaking of people closing chapters in their careers…
Tweet of the Week
Just a kid from Chicago.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 26, 2024
Thank you for everything, @drose 🌹 pic.twitter.com/u3CCwhlfRe
Remember that 2011 ad for the adZero Crazy Light? I’m no collector of signature shoes, but that ad took my breath away when I first saw it. The reason: Derrick freakin’ Rose. For a brief period in NBA history, this gravity-defying kid from Chicago dominated the league with his athleticism and will to win. Rose’s decision to retire has certainly struck a chord with NBA fans worldwide. He will be missed.
