Lebron is power, Steph is brilliance: A classic matchup for an NBA finale

By: Paolo Manuel C. Fule

Lebron James will return again in the NBA finals for the sixth time in his career, five straight years in a span of 8 seasons. While the Warriors, who had been dominant in the regular season (67-15) with stellar performances by Stephen Curry, the reigning Most Valuable Player of the league this season, will have their first taste of the NBA finals arena after 40 long years.

In the West, the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry are nothing but spectacular night in and night out, whether it is on the road or inside the loudest arena in the world today- the Oracle arena. In the Golden State Warrior’s series against the New Orleans Pelicans, Stephen Curry averaged 33.75 points per game, while their team has an average of 109 points per game. Against the grit-and-grind pack of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Dubs averaged 97.83 PPG while Curry has his playoffs series low 24.5 PPG. With the Houston Rockets in their last four games, GSW averaged 110 PPG while Curry cooks 32.5 PPG.

On the east side, Lebron James, four-time NBA regular season MVP, 2-time finals MVP, and five straight NBA finals attendee, is truly a force of nature to reckon with by the young and neophyte finals team of Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. James and the Cavs dispatched the number 7 seed Boson Celtics in the first round, stopped the rampaging Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls four games to two in the East semis, and then swept the East number 1 seed Atlanta Hawks in the Conference Finals.

The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are 2-2 when they met this season, with each winning on its home floor. Lebron James sat out in Golden State’s 112-94 win on Jan. 9 in Oakland, while King James scored a season-high 42 points in the Cavs’ 110-99 win in Cleveland on Feb. 26.

Some facts about this year’s finals: This will be the first time since the NBA’s inaugural season (1946-1947, then known as the BAA) that two first-year coaches will face each other in the finals. LeBron James will appear in his fifth consecutive NBA Finals. He’s the only non-member of the 1950-60s Boston Celtics to play in five straight finals. Stephen Curry will have faced every other All-NBA First Team member in this postseason (Anthony Davis, Marc Gasol, James Harden, and now Lebron James). He is the first player to do this in league history. None of the Warriors’ players have been to the finals. The 1991 Chicago Bulls are the last team to win without a player with finals experience.

Here are some of the predictions of NBA basketball fanatics:

Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron James is at his best. — Adriane Paul Manipol, PMMS student.

Kyrie Irving is my idol and I choose Cavs.— Ajay Khatri, basketball player at Enderun Colleges, Taguig

I think the Golden State Warriors will win the finals.– Tristan Josh Mapanao, basketball player at UPHSD Molino campus.

I was right on my first prediction…. Cavs vs GS -,finals, my next prediction would be Cavs winning 4-3…– Garret Consignado, Plaridel National High School teacher and basketball coach.

Even though I’m a fan of Curry. I think Cavs will win the crown. James isn’t alone, they are also loaded with gunners especially Smith and Shumpert. Warriors will have a very hard time defending Lebron.–Tom Joel Paliangayan. Sports Writer from Liceo de San Pedro

I am going with my hometown Golden State. Stephen Curry is also amazing this season–Lorenz Gerard Viajar, basketball player at University of the East Manila

email the author at paolomanuelfule@yahoo.com or text 09184059751

Yaco brothers from Davao elevate Junior Altas to new heights

By: Paolo Manuel C.Fule

Siblings in the hard court have evidently fascinated the collegiate basketball world today. The rise of Tengsanity with brothers Jeron and Jeric Teng in their epic matchup in UAAP season 76 was such a historical one, as it broke the record for the most number of attendees in a UAAP Finals match at the Mall of Asia Arena. Last season, the Ravenas Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena are took center stage as team mates for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

The maroon and white University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Las Pinas Campus Juniors also has its share of siblings sharing basketball inside the court. Meet Phillip Given and Gian Yaco. Born February 8, 1997 and February 27, 1998 respectively, in Davao City, both players play as shooting guards for the Junior Altas.

Their parents are Felipe and Grace Yaco. Phillip Given Yaco stands 6 feet tall, and is currently a fourth year high school in UPHSD Las Pinas Campus. He started to play last year as part of the NCAA season 89. Asked about his best asset in the court, Phillip quipped, “I think it would be my defense and drive. On the other hand, I think I have to improve my offense and my confidence inside the court”.

His pre-game rituals include eating a lot, praying and the determination to win in every game he is in. His career high in point is 16 in a tournament held in Davao City. He is included in the mythical five in their provincial basketball league.

In the NBA, he likes the 16-time world champions Los Angeles Lakers, and he idolizes Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers and one of NBA’s all-time greats, Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls.

“It’s good because we help each other inside the court and as a team mate, there is chemistry already between us as siblings”, said Phillip of the advantage of having a brother as a team mate. He likes to be a PBA player in the near future.

Gian Yaco is a 5’10” senior high school student. He believes that one of his assets inside the court is his shooting and driving skills. In their Fr. Martin’s Cup tournament, he scored 12 points for the Junior Altas against Chiang Kai Shek College. In Davao City, he scored his career best 29 points in one of their basketball leagues. He was also chosen as one of the mythical five members in their basketball league in Davao.

In the NBA, he likes the star-studded Cleveland Cavaliers and his favorite player is none other than the King himself, Lebron James. Just like his brother, he likes to be a professional basketball player in the PBA.

Email the author at paolomanuelfule@yahoo.com