TOO close to call.
That’s the consensus among Philippine coaches when SPIN.ph asked them on who will win the 2025 NBA title which will be decided in a Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers on Sunday (Monday morning in Manila.)
With excitement rising to fever pitch in the first NBA Game 7 since 2016, we took a poll of coaches from the UAAP and NCAA on who they believe will lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of a thrilling best-of-seven finale.
READ OKC or Pacers in Game 7? Cone, fellow PBA coaches weigh in
With experts saying the two teams are evenly balanced, the choice, obviously, was difficult to make. Some rooted for the underdogs Pacers, others chose the Thunder for having homecourt advantage.
“Gusto ko pareho eh,” said Adamson coach Nash Racela, clearly enjoying the battle between the small-market teams led by two of the best young stars in the NBA today in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton.
National University bench tactician Jeff Napa agreed, noting, “Ok sila parehas kasi bata yung teams. Gusto ko yung style of play ng Oklahoma City at Indiana.”
But for some, there’s a reason why the Thunder are the top seed.
“It’s going to be OKC,” said Far Eastern University coach Sean Chambers, highlighting the team’s league-best 68-14 win-loss record in the regular season to top the Western Conference. “This is why you work hard all season, to get home court advantage in a crucial game like this.”
“Tingin ko tambak yang Game Seven at OKC ang mag-champion,” said Arellano mentor Chico Manabat.
St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu shared the same belief, though he was still torn on his choice, noting, “It’s OKC, but I want Indiana.”
Everyone wants a feel-good story, right? And that seems to be what the Pacers bring to the table as they defied the odds despite being the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference to make it to the dance for the first time since 2000.
“I’m going for the underdogs!” said University of the East coach Chris Gavina.
Perpetual coach Olsen Racela and Emilio Aguinaldo College shot-caller Jerson Cabiltes also shared the same sentiments as they hope to see Indiana win its first NBA crown.
How about you, who do you think will get the chip?
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