By Waylon Galvez
As the 12 teams start to go inside the ‘bubble’ for the Philippine Cup restart in Clark, Pampanga on Oct. 9, PBA coaches – like most basketball observers in the country – have their own take in the NBA Finals this week.
It’s going to be the Los Angeles Lakers against the Miami Heat.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series starts Thursday inside the NBA ‘bubble’ in Lake Bay, Florida.
The match up has plenty of storylines, like the return of the Lakers in the championship stage for the first time in 10 years, while the Heat are back after losing in 2014.
While James and the Lakers appear to be more popular among Filipinos, the Heat have their own pull primarily because of Miami’s Fil-Am mentor Erick Spoelstra – a two-time champion coach.
“Heat in 7… Pinoy for Spo,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.
Aside from the Filipino-connection with Spoelstra, Guiao also likes the ‘underdog’ Heat, with whom he finds semblance to his former teams Red Bull and Rain or Shine – two teams he led to championships with no superstar players.
“Yes they’re the underdogs, they play more of a team. LA, on the other hand, is LeBron-AD,” he said.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel coach Tim Cone – a huge supporter of Spoelstra – considers L.A. as the heavy favorites, but he likes Miami’s chances considering the way it has been playing in the playoffs.
After beating the Celtics, the Heat improved to 12-3 in the playoffs – the same record of the Lakers going to the Finals.
“I don’t have a very good crystal ball, but I’m very happy the Heat are back in the Finals,” said Cone. “LeBron and AD will be a load for the Heat and I think the Lakers will be heavily favored.”
“But you can’t underestimate the Heat, they found ways to win. My heart says Miami in 7.”
Meralco’s Norman Black feels the same thing, as he favors the veteran-loaded Lakers, but his heart too is for Spoelstra as he wants to see the mentor win another NBA championship.
“With the Heat entering the Finals, I’m hoping Miami will spring an upset because I want to see coach Spoelstra win,” he said.
