How to fix the Beermen (theoretically)

Now that they have been eliminated from the on going Commissioner's Cup, head coach Ato Agustin and the rest of the San Miguel Beermen (I can't remember the last time this team was eliminated this early) have all of the off-season to make their new, young acquisitions work in time for next conference.

Granted, they traded away four aging players-- two being quite serviceable (Dorian Pena and Dondon Hontiveros), for three young upstarts-- with only one being worthy the marquee (Rabeh Al Hussaini). But just when you thought that things would be okay owing to the Beermen's loaded roster, guys who should've stepped up didn't, and the team looked pretty lost as to what style they should play. Are they a half court team anchored on veteran Danny Ildefonso and the more stable Denok Miranda or are they a run and gun team led by Jay Washington and Alex Cabagnot?


We'll give Arwind Santos a free pass on this one since the guy has shown that he can play both styles with ease (it's only when he masquerades as a trigger happy shooting guard that irks fans really).

Back to business: Agustin needs to create an identity for his team much like Chot Reyes was finally able to achieve the chemistry long been missing from the Talk N Text Tropang Texters. Now, when people say a basketball team that plays defense but runs, runs, and runs FIRST-- we automatically think of TNT.

Right now, there's no question that the Beermen are better off as a semi-halfcourt team.

PG Denok Miranda
SG Arwind Santos
SF Jay Washington
PF Danny Ildefonso
C Rabeh Al Hussaini

The trio of Miranda, Santos and Washington can hold their on both on offense and defense, while Al Hussaini dominates in the post. Ildefonso plays the high post and would be the token feeder for the promising ex-King Eagle.

Off the bench we'll go with Cabagnot, Joseph Yeo and Noy Baclao for Miranda, Ildefonsos and one of the Beermen's twin blades (Santos and Washington). Cabagnot and Yeo can ignite the offense while Baclao assures coach Agustin a semblance of defense and hustle on the floor at all times.

Next conference the Beermen should consider getting a "4" for an import regardless of the height ceiling. A scrappy forward is what this team lacks since Al Hussaini is more interested in scoring than rebounding, and Ildefonso isn't as interested in doing the dirty work as he once was (that's what playing with a Dorian Pena would do to just about anyone anyway).