Miami Heat ousted Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference in six matches. PHOTO COURTESY OF ESSENTIAL SPORTS.COM 
Los Angeles Lakers reached the best-of-seven finals series by defeating Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals in five games. PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY LANDIS/AP
MANILA – Los Angeles Lakers is being tipped to go all the way against Miami Heat in their National Basketball Association (NBA) finals encounter beginning Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines).
Majority of Western Visayas-based coaches and sports personalities told Panay News that they see the Lakers clinching their 17th Larry O’Brien trophy in five or six games.
University of St. La Salle head coach Arland Blanco: “Lakers have the experience and deeper bench. The x-factor is the mid-range perimeter game of the LAL. (Kyle) Kuzma and (Danny) Green will be the series changer. We haven’t seen them explode the playoffs yet.” Lakers in six.
University of the Philippines head coach Dolreich Perasol: “Lakers have the manpower advantage in (Anthony Davis) and LeBron (James). All other personnel will even out as the series progresses. I see the Heat to be creative in their defensive stunts against these two guys leaving a lot of the Lakers’ role players open.” Lakers in six.
Hercor Jaguars coach Jay Pisuena: “As for me ang may advantage ay Lakers kasi sa size and damo sa ila line up ang may championship experience na. Iba gid na nga daan, kabalo na sila kung ano ang kinahanglan obrahon.” Lakers in six.
Hercor College Junior Jaguars coach Jeffrey Abool: “Lakers ang may abanse kay dalagko gid sila subong kag wla gid may mabantay kay (Davis). Small size ang Miami pero hindi man nila madali-dali guro.” Lakers in six.
Ateneo de Iloilo head coach Jphil Cercado: “I think Lakers has the edge on offense because of Lebron and AD. Davis has a big advantage in terms of match up defense. Miami, on the other hand, has a good ball rotation.” Lakers in six.
Bacolod Tay Tung High School head coach Yong Despi: “We cannot underestimate Miami but I think Lakers has the edge. As a coach, I am a fan of role players and I admire the defense of (Alex) Caruso and Dwight (Howard). If they will be consistent in the series, they will be a huge factor for (Lakers) coach (Frank) Vogel.” Lakers in six.
Bacolod Tay Tung elementary team head coach Atoy Callora: “Lakers has the advantage sa frontline at bench depth. Championship experience will also come to play. “The good thing with Miami is coach Spo knows LeBron kaya alam niya ang weakness ni LeBron sa finals.” Lakers in six.
Dingle National High School coach Prandy Wong: “Both teams have their strength and weaknesses but the biggest challenge for Miami is to limit LeBron and Davis. It will depend kung anong depensa gagamitin ng both teams.” Lakers in six.
Central Philippine University Sports Director Edwin Caro Laru-an: “Both teams are hungry, but Lakers have the advantage because of their size and experience. Heat will rely on their quick rotation and shooting from outside.” Lakers in six.
SBP Region 6 Deputy Regional Director Bayani Ladrido: “The big difference is still LeBron and their bench will be the x-factor. If Miami’s (Bam) Adebayo could play consistently they could have a chance.” Lakers in six.
Sports Lang podcast host Rodolfo Go Villaruz: “Deep bench, superb performance of James and Davis and, of course, they are hungry for a title after 10 years. Miami has a great coach as he brings the best out of his players.” Lakers in six.
Ilonggo referee Jorge Serapia: “Ang Lakers kasi may pangtapat kay Bam Adebayo, while Miami will have a hard time defending Davis. Maganda rin ang chemistry, depensa at shooting ng Lakers.” Lakers in six.
Bacolodnon basketball scout Dexter Dy: “Rondo will be the x-factor for the Lakers. Two playmakers at the same time on the court LBJ and Rondo will be a handful for the Heat. Even if you play zone against the Lakers they have shooters and they rebound very well.” Lakers in five.
Dinagyang Elite Basketball commissioner Von Fernandez: “The Los Angeles Lakers is really a tough team to beat with their size, talents and skills. They have a very deep bench and has a balance coaching staff.” Lakers in five.
NBTC Region 6 head Richard Gabayoyo: “Lakers ang may edge sa inside and outside game and sa experience while Miami has the speed. Overall, Lakers is the favored team for me. I see them finishing it in five games behind the leadership of LeBron.”
Sta. Clarita International School Primes coach Rodel Camacho: “LeBron need the offensive support of his teammates in the entire series kasi ang bantay niya sa Heat is Andre Iguodala and Jimmy Butler, which were said to be the best defender in the league against LBJ.” Lakers in seven.
TNT KaTropa head coach Bong Ravena and Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix head coach Vincent Conlu, on the other hand, sees Miami pulling off a stunner while Ilongga Ford Grajales of University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses also hopes for the same upset.
Ravena: “Lyamado kaayo ang Lakers. Won’t be surprised kon ma-sweep nila. But I am for Miami (underdog) and my idol coach Spo.” Miami in six.
Conlu: “Tingin ko may slight advantage ang Miami because of Adebayo who can match up with Davis. They also have a lot of defensive players who can match up with LeBron. Role players will be Heat’s x-factor.” Miami in six.
Grajales: “Personally, I am a fan of Tyler Herro so I am hoping that Miami can pull off an upset. Pero sa tingin ko Lakers ang favored team sa series dahil puro veterans and they have the height advantage.” Wishing for Miami in any games.
The Lakers reached the best-of-seven finals series by defeating Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals in five games while the Heat ousted Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference in six matches./PN
