Interesting. I don’t think you will find very many people that would say Filler has a better defensive/tactical game than SVB.
As good as Filler is I think it’s a slight weakness in his game and he can improve in that department. Which is a scary thought if he does.
Filler is way above SVB defensively, mostly in defensive conceptualization. They are about even in defensive execution. More accurately, Filler is way, way above SVB defensively. Anyone who really understands the subtleties of defense (including shot design, downside management, and the nuances in object ball placement) will understand why. I consider Filler one of the best six or seven defensive players in the game. Shane may not even be top twenty five in that department. I'd reckon that fifteen of the top twenty defensive players in the world are Filipino. The best is Alex Pagulayan --- I can't even figure out if he's Filipino!
I recall when Filler played JL Chang in the action room at Derby City in 2019. Every rack that came down to tactics, Filler had the edge, and it helped him a lot in winning the match.
His extraordinary finesse skills show up in his straight pool game (where he ran 285 at the 2019 DCC) and in his one pocket game, too.
I don't ever recall a player for whom so many refused to give credit for his incredible all-around skills. I really don't get it.